Brazil declares itself 'bird flu free' after 28-day observation period

SAO PAULO, June 18 (Reuters) - Brazilian authorities on Wednesday have declared the country as "free" of the bird flu virus after no new outbreaks were detected on commercial poultry farms, according to a statement from the agriculture ministry.

Brazil's first outbreak hit a chicken breeder farm in the south of the nation last month, triggering trade bans that may now be reversed with the regaining of the disease-free status.