CDFA Release - Text Format
CDFA Newcastle Info
REF http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/pdfs/END_update_web110302.pdf
Exotic Newcastle Disease Update
November 3, 2002
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) are conducting an eradication campaign for exotic
Newcastle disease (ND), a severe disease of birds. Birds with exotic ND have
respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal signs, and up to 90% of them die. The
disease was confirmed in California on October 1, 2002, and is restricted to backyard
poultry in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
Commercial poultry are not involved in this outbreak. Exotic ND does
not pose a threat to public health and does not affect the safety of
poultry and egg products.
Over 216 people are assigned to this task force.
Officials are going door-to-door to find sick birds in affected areas and tracing
birds into and out of infected flocks.
187 backyard premises have been quarantined (i.e., birds are not allowed to
leave these premises); investigations are ongoing.
59 of these premises contained birds infected with or exposed to exotic ND; all
birds in these flocks have been or will be euthanatized. All affected premises are
being cleaned and disinfected after the birds have been removed.
Owners are being fairly compensated for euthanatized birds.
Owners will be allowed to restock birds after there is no risk of them being
reinfected with exotic ND.
Swap meets that sell birds in the affected areas are being checked for infected
birds.
The movement and gathering of birds should be minimized.
A fact sheet about exotic ND, the signs, how it spreads, and historical information is
available (click here to go to the fact sheet) NOTE: SEE REF ABOVE. A hotline has been established to assist
with questions and to report suspicious cases: 1-800-491-1899.
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