SAO PAULO (Reuters) – The Brazilian government said on Friday an outbreak of Newcastle disease that had blocked its poultry exports has ended and that it had notified the World Organization for Animal Health.

The government now awaits importers’ nod to lift trade embargoes associated with the outbreak, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

Brazilian meat lobby ABPA welcomed the notification, saying it can expedite resumption of chicken exports, which were partly halted after communication of an isolated case of Newcastle disease in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Newcastle is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds, causing respiratory problems, among other symptoms, and can lead to death.

ABPA said Brazilian chicken exporters are redirecting cargos to other markets since the trade restrictions associated with the outbreak took force.

The notification to WOAH will likely reestablish Brazil’s Newcastle disease-free status, ABPA said.

(Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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