Exotic Newcastle Disease Confirmed in the United States

Exotic Newcastle disease (END) was confirmed on October 1, 2002, in the State of California, and has now spread beyond backyard flocks to affect six commercial operations in California. On January 16, 2003, END was also confirmed in a backyard flock in the State of Nevada. Clinical signs in infected birds include respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal signs. Mortality is up to 90% of exposed birds. Investigations are on-going and all figures are pending final validation. Veterinary Services is working rapidly to expand staff on the Task Force in the States of California and Nevada and is exploring all options to send Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel, other federal government personnel, and is working with the States to consider additional resources to meet the labor demands.

Nevada Situation (as of 5:00 p.m. PST, January 26, 2003)

END has been confirmed in a backyard flock in Las Vegas, NV. Federal and State quarantines have been established for all of Clark County and a portion of Nye County, NV. APHIS has also declared an extraordinary emergency. APHIS and the State of Nevada have begun surveillance efforts of the backyard population and have established a Task Force in Nevada.

Number of premises positive: 6 (up 3 from 1/24 report)

Number of contact premises: 44 (up 22 from 1/24 report)

Number of premises released: 0 (no change from 1/24 report)

Number of premises depopulated: 31

Premises waiting to be depopulated: 19

Birds depopulated to date: 649

Counties with positive flocks: Clark

The following link is to the State of Nevada's END website. http://www.agri.state.nv.us/END.htm

California Situation (as of 5:00 p.m. PST, January 26, 2003)

Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and APHIS continue to work closely on efforts to control the END outbreak in Southern California. USDA has instituted a federal quarantine zone that serves as a buffer around the END-affected area in Southern California. The department has also declared an extraordinary emergency to provide additional resources and authorities to the eradication campaign for END in Southern California.

Number of premises positive: 417 (up 18 from 1/24 report)

Number of contact premises: 990 (up 84 from 1/24 report)

Number of premises released: 15 (up 7 from 1/24 report)

Number of premises depopulated: 1,154

Premises waiting to be depopulated: 268

Birds depopulated to date: 1,483,755

Counties with positive flocks: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura.

Operational Update

• Of the 50 premises in Nevada designated for depopulation, 62.0% have been completed.

• Of the 1,422 premises in California designated for depopulation, 81.2% have been completed.

• Effective January 7, 2003, APHIS imposed a federal quarantine that regulates the interstate movement of all species of birds and poultry products from Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, CA.

• Effective January 17, 2003, APHIS imposed a federal quarantine that regulates the interstate movement of all species of birds and poultry products from Clark County and a portion of Nye County, NV.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared an extraordinary emergency for the States of California and Nevada. These declarations allow USDA to apply federal authority within California and Nevada.

• Task Force personnel are conducting a door-to-door campaign to identify affected premises. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. Entities that sell birds continue to be monitored in affected areas. If a flock tests positive, officials will quarantine the premises immediately and order the destruction of the flock as soon as it is logistically possible.

• Once affected premises are identified and birds humanely depopulated, affected areas are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Landfills, composting, and rendering are being used for safe disposal of affected birds and materials.

• Task Force personnel, in close collaboration with the California State Highway Patrol, are exploring the possibility of establishing inspection stations on Interstate 5. Personnel are also discussing border control and voluntary compliance issues.

• CDFA, Division of Fairs and Expositions has issued an official recommendation that the California Fairs Boards adopt a local policy to suspend all poultry shows for the 2003 fairs season.

Outreach Activities

• Task Force personnel conducted a public meeting in Riverside County, CA, that was facilitated by local city officials. Approximately 100 local residents attended. In connection with program activities in Riverside County, information personnel held a briefing for Congressman Ken Calvert. According to field representatives, the Congressman fully supports END program activities.

• Task Force public relations personnel are in close contact with various city officials and regularly distribute information on Task Force activities in affected communities. Recent additions to the public relations staff have provided an opportunity to work in direct contact with officials in high risk cities.

• Task Force personnel are working to prepare information and outreach materials concerning quarantine enforcement. Public relations staff is working with representatives of California's Department of Transportation and the California State Highway Patrol.

Definitions

Emergency Management Issue is for information with no impact on APHIS.
Emergency Management Notice is an ongoing incident with potential impact on APHIS.
Emergency Management Warning is an ongoing incident with almost certain impact on APHIS.

For More Information

California END Hotline 800-491-1899

To contact APHIS Veterinary Services' Emergency Program Staff, call 301-734-8073, 800-940-6524 or email emoc@usda.gov

California Department of Food and Agriculture