Authorities are taking measures to contain an outbreak of Newcastle disease on a poultry farm in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, Reuters reported, citing a statement from local meat lobby ABPA on Thursday.

The government had confirmed late on Wednesday that a sample tested positive for the viral disease, saying it came from a commercial poultry farm in the municipality of Anta Gorda.

"The official protocols to mitigate (risks) have been put in place and the surrounding area continues to be monitored," ABPA said.

Newcastle is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds, causing respiratory problems, among other symptoms, and can lead to death. Its notification is mandatory as per guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health.

Thousands of birds perished on the small farm where the disease was most recently discovered, according to an industry source. The circumstances of the mass deaths are still under investigation as cold weather may have contributed to the perishing of the animals, the source said.

The detection of Newcastle disease threatens Brazilian poultry exports, as importers may ban products coming from the South American nation or from particular regions impacted by the outbreak, the source added.

The last confirmed cases of Newcastle disease in Brazil occurred in 2006 in subsistence birds in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul, the agriculture ministry said.

Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro told reporters the area where the latest case was confirmed has been isolated and there are no other outbreaks in the vicinity.