Media Coverage
January 1 to January 10, 2003
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San Diego Union Tribune, CA
Poultry quarantine now covers 8 counties in region
Officials declare state of emergency
By Elizabeth Fitzsimons
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 10, 2003
REF: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20030110-9999_1m10emer.html
The state has expanded a quarantine to prevent the spread of a fatal avian disease to include Ventura, Santa Barbara and Imperial counties, and Gov. Gray Davis and the federal government have declared the situation an emergency.
Exotic Newcastle disease, which is highly contagious among birds but does not affect people, was recently detected in a pet chicken in Ventura. No discoveries of the disease were made in Santa Barbara or Imperial counties, but the state added those counties to the quarantine as a precaution.
San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange counties and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties were already under quarantine, which bans the shipment of poultry and poultry products, except sanitized eggs, outside the quarantine area.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared the exotic Newcastle outbreak an "extraordinary emergency." The declaration paves the way for the distribution of $40 million that a task force has requested for fighting the disease and for destroying infected flocks.
Davis' emergency declaration allows state agencies to share resources and work with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Davis instructed state Agriculture Secretary William Lyons Jr. and Emergency Services Director Dallas Jones to work together to quickly stop the spread of the disease.
"Exotic Newcastle disease is a devastating bird illness that has the potential to wipe out the poultry industry," Davis said in a statement.
The outbreak, first detected in October in a backyard flock of chickens in Los Angeles County, was confined to pet birds until late last month, when chickens at commercial egg ranches in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and then one in Ramona, were found to be infected.
The Ramona case is the only one in San Diego County, officials said.
There are more than 600 state and federal personnel assigned to the eradication project, said Larry Cooper, spokesman for the California Department of Agriculture.
To prevent the spread of the disease, authorities destroy entire flocks. To date, about 1.2 million birds have been ordered destroyed, including 73,000 at Ramona Egg Enterprises Inc. on Old Julian Road.
Elizabeth Fitzsimons:
(760) 752-6743; elizabeth.fitzsimons@uniontrib.com
Los Angeles Times - CA
January 10, 2003
REF: http://www.latimes.com/la-me-chickens10jan10,0,479076.story
VENTURA COUNTY
Search to Target Infected Poultry
Inspectors will fan out from the Somis locale where a chicken died of Newcastle disease.
By Rodney Bosch, Times Staff Writer
After confirming that a chicken in Somis died from the exotic Newcastle disease, Ventura County's agricultural commissioner said a door-to-door inspection will begin next week to identify any other infected poultry across the county.
State and federal inspectors will begin their search at the Somis property and fan out in every direction, Commissioner Earl McPhail said. At its peak, the search could involve as many as "a couple hundred inspectors," he said.
The inspectors will look for any fowl with symptoms of the disease, such as breathing problems and muscular tremors, and will take random blood samples.
While there are no commercial chicken or egg farms in Ventura County, McPhail said many residents raise chickens at home for their eggs.
The virus, which is harmless to humans, is spread primarily when healthy birds come in contact with the fecal matter of infected birds.
The action comes on the heels of the federal government and Gov. Gray Davis both declaring a state of emergency Wednesday to contain the disease to Southern California.
The quarantine also prohibits all poultry exhibitions, which means the Ventura County Fair could be prevented from hosting its normal slate of competitions.
"If we are still under quarantine come the end of July or the first of August," McPhail said, "there will be no fowl at the fair."
Newcastle disease is a deadly avian virus that is threatening the state's $3-billion poultry business. A statewide outbreak in 1971 prompted the destruction of nearly 12 million chickens at a cost of $56 million.
The latest outbreak was discovered in backyard chicken flocks in Compton in October and in commercial poultry in December, according to the state Department of Food and Agriculture. During the last several weeks, state officials have called for the destruction of about 1.2 million chickens.
Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December. Wednesday's declaration expanded the quarantine area to Ventura, Santa Barbara and Imperial counties.
"The biggest concern right now is to make sure poultry and other host fowl are not moved around," McPhail said. "People who have poultry in their backyard need to make sure they don't take mud on their shoes or boots to their neighbor's house."
Quarantine violators can be fined up to $25,000.
Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times
FOOD & FARM NEWS
(Issue date: Friday, January 10, 2003)
REF: http://www.cfbf.com/ffn/2003/ffn-01_10_03.html
More pet birds found to have disease
Inspectors going door-to-door in Southern California continue to find more backyard birds infected with exotic Newcastle disease. The number of inspectors may increase to three thousand, as officials work to contain the poultry disease. The US Agriculture Department expanded a quarantine this week to include the state's eight southernmost counties. It wants to assure trading partners that the disease is restricted to that area
Antelope Valley Press - CA
Newcastle disease spreads worry
Viral affliction hits chickens, other fowl
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press Thursday, January 9, 2003.
By HEATHER LAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer
REF: http://www.avpress.com/n/thsty2.hts
LITTLEROCK - Los Angeles County is under "area quarantine" and at least 23 private properties are under "premises quarantine" as incidents of the deadly and purportedly indiscriminant Exotic Newcastle disease have contaminated properties in Lancaster, Littlerock and Santa Clarita.
The viral disease, which poses no risk to humans, is commonly known to infect domestic fowls, turkeys, pheasants, pigeons, quail and guinea fowl.
The disease is a suspected menace to all bird species and is considered the most infectious disease of poultry, threatening even vaccinated birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Despite the implementation of aggressive measures, the California Department of Food and Agriculture reports that outbreaks in commercial egg-laying facilities have been discovered in San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
"This is an alarming situation that seriously threatens our poultry industry," said CDFA Secretary William Lyons Jr.
Littlerock resident Sherry Morris is one of the latest to have her birds hit by exotic Newcastle disease.
As a result of the agriculture department's aggressive measures, Morris has little to show for her once $40,000 bird amassment but toppled empty cages after USDA officials rushed to euthanize hundreds of her birds and quarantine others when her dead and dying chickens tested positive for exotic Newcastle disease in late December.
Bill Klein, an agricultural biologist and past president of the California State Racing Pigeon Organization, is seething over how the USDA is handling the contaminations.
"I have nothing but disdain for the whole program," said Klein, who criticized the eradication approach he says is relying on "old biology."
Klein said it is now known that the disease does not infect all bird types and that the "kill them all" mentality is not based on (modern) science.
"If pigeons were really susceptible to this we would see them falling out of the sky everywhere," Klein said.
He said there are only three known cases, ever, of a pigeon contracting the disease.
Still, all of the Morris' 130 racing pigeons were euthanized, along with peacocks, pheasants, ducks, cockatiels and canaries, even though only the Morris' chickens were showing symptoms of the disease.
Morris, who once shared her 1-acre Littlerock home with upwards of 500 various birds, said she started noticing unusual symptoms in a 10-year-old chicken, who had a blank stare, appetite loss, respiratory distress, disheveled appearance and slimy discharge from the mouth. She likened it to a common cold in humans.
"I ended up with 18 chickens in my kitchen, trying to doctor them," said Morris, who called the USDA on Dec. 27 because of the growing problem with chickens on her property.
Birds infected with the disease are normally dead within 24 hours, Klein said.
At her request, the USDA came to her property on Dec. 28, tested the yard and removed the already dead chickens, swabbing about 40 other birds for specimens, Morris said.
The following Tuesday, after a conference call with USDA officials, Morris said they returned to her property, with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Palmdale station acting as mediators, to "depopulate" the premises.
"They had a forced entry warrant (and) they hit me like a SWAT team," Morris said.
When USDA officials returned again this week, Morris pleaded with them not to take the nene Hawaiian geese, which is an endangered species.
One goose was euthanized on the spot, and the remaining 14 were quarantined in an unknown location, Morris said.
She estimated the value of each breeding pair between $2,000 and $5,000.
She doesn't know where they are or if she will ever get them back, but she is quite certain that witnessing the gassing of their counterparts will have a detrimental emotional impact on the birds.
"They were very traumatized by this... to be exposed to the whole ordeal," said Morris, who is considering putting her house up for sale and moving to Nevada, frustrated with the way the contamination was handled.
Even though Morris will be reimbursed by the state for the birds, she said, "These birds were more than just birds. I raised everybody in the house."
The last commercial outbreak of Newcastle disease occurred in California in 1971, affecting more than 1,300 flocks and 12 million birds. The outbreak cost U.S. poultry and egg supply and taxpayers $56 million, according to the USDA.
Klein said the best way to avoid contamination is diligence.
"You don't let anybody else (who raises birds) back by your birds," Klein said.
He recommends those who do raise birds to consistently sanitize shoes with a light bleach solution. While there is a vaccine for Newcastle disease, it is not mandatory, Klein said.
On Friday, representatives from the Federal Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service in Iowa, who are investigating exotic Newcastle disease, will conduct a public information meeting to field questions from concerned Valley residents.
The meeting was arranged by Dr. Lynn McEwan, a local avian veterinarian.
It will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at the Color Guard Hall, 39463 10th St. East in Palmdale, at the corner of Avenue P.
The North County Times - CA
Gov. Davis declares emergency over poultry disease
Gig Conaughton
Staff Writer
REF: http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030109/11111.html
In a move hailed by San Diego and Riverside County agricultural leaders Wednesday, Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency over the Southern California outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, which threatens the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
Meanwhile, the federal Department of Agriculture expanded the quarantine zone to include all of Southern California, shortly after Davis' emergency declaration.
Exotic Newcastle Disease is a virus that does not affect humans, but is deadly to all birds, especially chickens.
Davis' emergency declaration also allows state agencies to pool resources to work with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to eradicate the disease.
Supervisors in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties either declared or ratified their own Newcastle Disease states of emergencies Tuesday, and asked the governor and President Bush to proclaim states of emergency that would clear the way for financial aid for affected businesses.
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose district includes the community of Ramona, the scene of San Diego County's Newcastle outbreak, said the Davis declaration was an important step in making sure the disease does not wreck California's poultry industry.
"I'm very pleased with the governor's prompt response," Jacob said. "San Diego County is second in the state in poultry production, and we've already had to destroy some 70,000 chickens in Ramona. Our chicken ranchers will need all the help they can get."
Dustin Wiley, deputy agriculture commissioner for Riverside County, the state's No. 1 producer of eggs, said Exotic Newcastle could devastate the state's poultry industry because there is no cure or vaccine for the disease. California is the nation's third-largest egg producer, and more than 9 million of the state's 12 million egg-laying chickens are in the quarantine zone.
Wiley and San Diego County Veterinarian Kerry Mahoney said the only way to eradicate the disease is to quarantine and destroy the infected birds, and ban any more birds from being raised on the affected property for additional time because the virus can live in the soil.
To date in Riverside and San Diego counties, the outbreaks have been limited to single commercial chicken farms ---- one in each county. Officials said they believe the outbreaks were caused by backyard flocks, and spread to the commercial farms.
Exotic Newcastle Disease has been discovered in San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties. The quarantine zone was expanded Wednesday to include Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties as a precaution ---- no infected commercial chickens have been found there.
Riverside County officials estimate their poultry and egg industry alone to be worth $56 million in annual production. Poultry, combined with livestock production, totaled $67 million in San Diego County in 2001.
Despite the state's $35 billion budget deficit, Jacob said she expects the state to step up with funding to bail out affected farmers and not just limit state aid to manpower supplied by the state's department of food and agriculture.
"I understand there is a deficit," Jacob said, "but it's also the state's responsibility to assist both financially and with manpower in an emergency of this type."
Analysts say that because the disease has been contained so far, it has had little effect on the industry. Poultry and egg prices have remained stable.
"This isn't effecting the industry yet. We are still producing as many chickens and eggs as we ever produced," said Bill Maddows of the California Poultry Federation.
However, Mahoney said that some countries have put embargoes on buying eggs from not just Southern California, but the entire state.
Eric Larson, president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, said that if the state doesn't come up with money to fight the problem now, it is risking losing even more money.
"The estimates for the cost of this are extraordinarily large amounts of money, and they continue to grow," Larson said. "The sooner the state starts spending to eradicate this, the better; and the cheaper it will be (in the long run)."
A major outbreak of the disease occurred in Southern California in 1971 and threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply.
Mahoney said the state spent more than $56 million to eradicate the problem then. The San Diego County agriculture commissioner said in a 2001 interview that a similar outbreak could cost the state $1 billion to eradicate in 2001 dollars.
Jacob, meanwhile, said the potential devastation could hit Californians hard ---- not just from the financial loss.
"This needs to be eradicated. There is definitely a public interest here. People rely upon chickens and eggs," she said. "These are basic food products."
Associated Press staff writer Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report. Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 739-6696 or gconaughton@nctimes.com.
1/9/03
Los Angeles Times - CA
Inland Valley Voice
January 9, 2003
Egg farmers will get aid for lost fowl
Official declaration clears way for funds, other assistance to help in battle against Newcastle disease.
REF: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/ontario/news/la-ivo-newcastle09jan09.story
By Matthew Chin, Inland Valley Voice
Inland Valley egg ranch owners and agriculture officials fighting a deadly avian disease welcomed the state of emergency declared Wednesday by state and federal governments.
Federal agriculture officials Wednesday also expanded a quarantine area to prevent further spread of exotic Newcastle disease. The federal government allocated $40 million to fight the outbreak, said U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Larry Hawkins.
Declaring a state of emergency makes it easier for state agencies to work together and can free money to assist business owners whose flocks must be killed.
"It does more to guarantee industry for any of their losses," said John Gardner, San Bernardino County chief deputy agriculture commissioner.
San Bernardino County egg production totaled $26.2 million in 2001.
"It's good to know you're going to have a little extra help," said Phil Stramisky, owner of Golden Fresh Egg Ranch in Fontana and Chino. Stramisky said he survived the last exotic Newcastle outbreak in the early 1970s and has increased his business' biological security. No one is allowed near his birds and delivery trucks are washed down to help ensure they do not bring the disease onto his property.
Exotic Newcastle disease was first found in backyard flocks in October. In late December, it was reported at commercial egg ranches in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. More than 1 million birds were to be destroyed. The disease has not been found at any other commercial properties.
The disease is not harmful to humans and is not considered a public health threat.
The quarantine zone covers Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Officials are trying to prevent the disease from spreading to the San Joaquin Valley, the heart of the state's poultry industry, Hawkins said.
Six hundred state and federal workers are spread across the state talking to property and business owners, testing for the disease, disinfecting properties and killing birds.
Los Angeles, Times - CA
January 9, 2003
Chicken Disease Prompts Davis to Declare State of Emergency
U.S. government joins in declaration as virus threatens California's poultry industry.
By Melinda Fulmer, Times Staff Writer
REF: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chicken9jan09.story
The federal government and Gov. Gray Davis both declared a state of emergency Wednesday in Southern California because of an outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease, a deadly avian virus that is threatening the state's $3-billion poultry business.
The declarations won't provide much if any additional compensation for affected chicken farms. But they help provide a way for state and federal agencies to pool their staff and equipment more quickly and bypass government contracting rules to help control the fast-spreading infection and dispose of birds.
About 650 people have been assigned from different agencies to work on eradicating the disease.
During the last several weeks, state officials have called for the destruction of about 1.2 million chickens to contain the outbreak, which was first discovered in backyard chicken flocks in Compton in September.
California already has agreed to compensate farmers $2 to $5 for each bird destroyed.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, expanded the quarantine area for the disease to include Santa Barbara and Imperial counties, although no evidence of disease has been found in either region. Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December.
"The purpose is to create a buffer zone around Newcastle disease-infected sites," USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins told Associated Press. "It provides additional security against the spread of the disease."
The virus spreads quickly among birds but is harmless to humans. Farms under quarantine cannot move live birds and poultry products out of the zone, although sanitized eggs can be distributed as normal. Riverside County is the state's No. 1 egg producer.
The measures also are designed to prevent the disease from spreading north to the state's Central Valley, where the bulk of the poultry industry is concentrated.
"Exotic Newcastle disease is a devastating bird illness that has the potential to wipe out the poultry industry," Davis said in a statement from Sacramento.
So far, the disease has not affected supplies of poultry or eggs, and supermarket prices have remained stable.
A statewide outbreak of the disease in 1971 prompted the destruction of nearly 12 million chickens at a cost of $56 million.
The two emergency declarations came a day after the Riverside and San Bernardino county boards of supervisors asked the governor and President Bush to declare emergencies.
The state-of-emergency declaration was a necessary first step for the state to get federal funds.
Sacramento Bee, CA
Emergency steps set over poultry
The state and federal government plan a joint fight over the disease outbreak in Southern California.
By Bob Walter -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Thursday, January 9, 2003
REF: http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/5839305p-6805782c.html
Saying that exotic Newcastle disease could wipe out the state's $3 billion poultry industry, Gov. Gray Davis and the federal government declared a state of emergency Wednesday in the fight against the outbreak in Southern California.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's declaration expanded the poultry quarantine zone to include all of Southern California, where the outbreak was discovered in backyard chicken flocks in October and in commercial operations in December.
Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December. Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties were the latest added to the quarantine zone.
Poultry and poultry products cannot be moved from the quarantined counties. Because the disease cannot be transmitted to humans, however, eggs can be moved after they are washed, sanitized and packed in new materials.
"I am instructing my agriculture secretary and emergency services director to work together to stop the spread of the disease and to eradicate it as quickly as possible," Davis said in a written statement.
The virulently infectious exotic Newcastle disease is fatal to all species of birds.
Some 1.2 million chickens have been destroyed with carbon dioxide gas since the eradication effort began, officials said.
The last time the disease hit California -- in 1971 -- federal and state agriculture departments destroyed some 12 million chickens and spent nearly $56 million to eradicate the disease.
The declarations Wednesday will allow state and federal agencies to pool resources and work cooperatively to battle the outbreak, and they will spur emergency financial aid.
Larry Hawkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the joint federal and state task force battling the disease learned Wednesday that it will receive $40 million from the federal Commodity Credit Corp. for the first stage of the eradication program, which includes reimbursement for farmers whose birds are destroyed.
That task force includes more than 600 federal and state employees who are identifying flocks, imposing quarantines, euthanizing and disposing of birds and cleaning and disinfecting infected sites, Hawkins said.
Bill Mattos, president of the Modesto-based California Poultry Federation, said Wednesday's state and federal declarations were crucial for two reasons: They provide people and money for the eradication effort, and they essentially split California's poultry industry into two regions.
"We are hopeful that the declaration in Southern California will let our exporting partners look at the state as two entities," Mattos said. "That could allow products from Northern California to be shipped around the world."
Mexico, the state's top poultry export market, has banned shipments of most poultry since the virus was discovered. Last week, Canada announced a two-week ban on poultry and poultry products from California.
Mattos and others said the outbreak has had no impact on poultry prices in the state.
Prices for chickens -- 98 percent of which are raised north of Bakersfield -- have not been affected, Mattos said.
And egg prices, which have been sluggish for some time, actually have dropped by 16 cents a dozen during the last month, according to the California Farm Bureau Federation.
About the Writer
----------------
The Bee's Bob Walter can be reached at (916) 321-1215 or bwalter@sacbee.com. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
San Francisco Chronicle, CA
Poultry quarantine extended
Emergency declared in 6 southern counties
Chuck Squatriglia, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, January 9, 2003
REF: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/01/09/BU240370.DTL
Racing to contain a disease that has forced the slaughter of about 1.2 million chickens in recent weeks, the federal government on Wednesday expanded a quarantine to cover all chickens in Southern California, as Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency in six counties.
The nearly simultaneous moves are a concerted push to eradicate exotic Newcastle disease, among the most infectious poultry diseases, before it ravages California's $3 billion annual poultry industry.
The USDA's quarantine expansion came just hours after Davis declared a state of emergency in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Ventura counties.
The federal government hopes to contain the disease, while Davis' declaration cleared the way for increased funding and state manpower to fight it.
The disease, which is harmless to humans but fatal to birds, has so far been confined to Southern California. But there is mounting concern that it could spread north into the state's major poultry production areas, exponentially increasing the cost of eradicating it, experts said.
"The disease is a big deal and a big concern," Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, told the California Farm Bureau on Wednesday.
Exotic Newcastle disease was first detected in backyard flocks in Los Angeles County in September. It surfaced last month at farms in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to quarantine chickens in those counties as well as Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The quarantine, which bars the transport of poultry, poultry products and nesting materials, was expanded Wednesday to include Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties, even though the disease has not surfaced there.
"The purpose is to create a buffer zone around Newcastle disease-infected sites," USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins said. "It provides additional security against the spread of the disease."
Because the disease cannot be transmitted to humans, eggs are not included in the quarantine but must be sanitized by producers. California is the nation's third-largest producer of eggs, and more than 9 million of the state's 12 million egg-laying hens are within the quarantine zone.
More than 1.2 million chickens have been destroyed since the disease surfaced, but poultry and egg prices have remained stable, and experts said the outbreak has had little impact on the industry.
"We are still producing as many chickens and eggs as we've ever produced," Mattos said.
A task force of state and federal agriculture officials and scientists has been tracking the outbreak and advising farms on how to address it. The panel is making door-to-door checks of farms in the affected area and has begun weekly veterinarian checks in the quarantine zone, said Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture.
No new cases have been found at commercial farms in more than a week, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. / E-mail Chuck Squatriglia csquatriglia@sfchronicle.com.
Access North Georgia, GA
Guyana temporarily bans eggs and chicks from Georgia
Updated Thursday, January 9 at 5:35 AM
REF: http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=67841
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - Guyana banned imports of hatching eggs and baby chickens from Georgia and California to prevent Exotic Newcastle disease from spreading to this country on the north coast of South America, officials said Wednesday.
Eggs and chicks from California and Georgia are banned temporarily, the Livestock Ministry said, though Georgia has not reported any outbreak of the disease.
Guyana's poultry association also acknowledged the disease had not appeared in Georgia, but said the government was seeking assurance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture before lifting the ban.
Georgia agriculture officials said they hadn't heard that the ban applied to their state.
Guyana buys most of its chicks from Georgia and not from southern California, where the disease has prompted a region-wide quarantine.
Exotic Newcastle, one of the most infectious poultry diseases in the world, is harmless to humans but fatal to birds. USDA officials have ordered more than a million chickens destroyed after finding new cases of the disease.
Guyana, which last year became self-sufficient in poultry production, nevertheless relies heavily on the import of hatching eggs and chicks to stock its poultry farms.
To protect its poultry industry from cheaper American imports, Guyana last month increased import duties from 56 percent to 125 percent on other poultry products.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin - CA
Feds, Davis step into fight against Newcastle disease
By ALAN SCHNEPF, STAFF WRITER
REF: http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%257E21481%257E1097284,00.html
The federal Department of Agriculture on Wednesday expanded the quarantine zone for Exotic Newcastle Disease to include all of Southern California and declared a state of emergency because of the threat to the state's $3 billion a year poultry industry.
The federal announcement came hours after Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency, releasing money and manpower to combat the disease that has required the slaughter of more than 1.2 million chickens.
Exotic Newcastle disease poses no threat to humans, but it has spurred officials to kill about 1.2 million birds across Southern California to keep the disease from spreading.
Since it first appeared in Compton in October, exotic Newcastle cases have been confirmed at more than 1,150 locations in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Nearly all have been in what officials call "backyard' birds.
But commercial flocks whose owners generally take strong measures to protect them from infectious disease have been hit in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Kimberley Smith, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said a noncommercial case has also been confirmed in Ventura County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared its own "extraordinary state of emergency' Wednesday.
Smith described the declarations as "an administrative formality' that allows government agencies to move more quickly to contain an epidemic.
The state declaration, for instance, suspends laws regarding competitive bidding requirements.
Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, said declaring the state of emergency also could be a mechanism to free up federal money to fight the disease. More than 650 workers are working to eliminate the disease, up from fewer than 250 in December.
Mattos said the disease is threatening, but the poultry industry is not in imminent danger of financial collapse because of exotic Newcastle.
"It's not a catastrophe, but it could be if it's not taken care of,' Mattos said.
An outbreak of exotic Newcastle led to catastrophic losses in the early 1970s, when the disease spread statewide, forcing officials to spend $56 million and kill more than 12 million birds to contain it.
"The best case scenario is we don't have any more,' said Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. "The worst case scenario is that it spreads statewide.'
Mattos said security measures and frequent testing at commercial ranches are helping to eradicate the disease, but that informal backyard flocks are difficult to monitor.
"Our biggest challenge is getting the disease in back yards,' Mattos said. "That's where it started, and that's where the birds move without (government) knowledge.'
But getting to the disease can be difficult. Each time a flock tests positive, government workers are required to euthanize the birds and interview the owners, which often leads investigators to other flocks where the process is repeated.
The virus is extremely contagious among birds.
Some foreign countries have placed bans on California poultry products, but Cooper said he believes exports account for only about 2 percent of the industry's business.
Smith said the expansion of the federal quarantine creates buffer zones around counties that have had confirmed cases of exotic Newcastle.
The disease has not been found in Imperial and Santa Barbara counties, but they were included in the quarantine because the disease has been found in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Kern County was not included in the quarantine because the Tehachapi Mountains there present a geographic buffer to the disease, Smith said.
Poultry and poultry products except eggs cannot be moved out of the quarantine area. Eggs must be sanitized and put in new packaging before being shipped out.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - FL
Feds declare emergency, expand disease quarantine zone
By CHELSEA J. CARTER
Associated Press Writer
REF: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030109&Category=APN&ArtNo=301090636&Ref=AR
A quarantine zone that aims to prevent the spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease has expanded to include all of Southern California after the federal and state governments declared a state of emergency.
The federal Department of Agriculture and Gov. Gray Davis made the declarations on Wednesday because of the threat to the California's $3 billion a year poultry industry. The declarations allow for the release of money and manpower to combat the disease that has required the slaughter of more than 1.2 million chickens since it was discovered at commercial farms in December.
Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December.
Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties were the latest added to the quarantine zone, although no infected commercial chickens have been found in those counties.
"The purpose is to create a buffer zone around Newcastle Disease-infected sites. It provides additional security against the spread of the disease," USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins said.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of all poultry, poultry products and nesting materials from Los Angeles County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Hawkins said. More than 9 million of the state's 12 million egg-laying hens are in the quarantine zone.
The disease spreads quickly among birds. Signs of the disease in birds include sneezing, coughing, gasping for air, drooping wings, muscular tremors, paralysis and sudden death.
Because the disease cannot be transmitted to humans, eggs are being sanitized and allowed to pass through the quarantine zone. California is the nation's third-largest egg producer.
Since the outbreak, Canada stopped all shipments of poultry and its products from California for 14 days. Mexico, the state's leading export market for poultry, called for a similar ban.
Despite the ban, the outbreak has had little effect on the industry, analysts said. Poultry and egg prices have remained stable.
"This isn't affecting the industry yet. We are still producing as many chickens and eggs as we've ever produced," said Bill Maddows of the California Poultry Federation.
The disease was first detected in backyard flocks in September. In December, it was found at commercial farms.
A task force made up of state and federal agriculture officials and scientists has been monitoring the outbreak since it was discovered. The task force also has been advising commercial farms on security measures.
Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, said the task force had begun door-to-door checks in areas where infected backyard chickens were found and implemented weekly veterinarian checks at all commercial farms in the quarantine zone.
"The biggest issue is to move in quickly and keep it from spreading," said Cooper, adding that some inspectors are starting to check to northern areas.
In 1971, a major outbreak occurred in Southern California and threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply.
In all, 1,341 infected flocks were identified and almost 12 million birds were destroyed, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Last modified: January 09. 2003 3:20AM
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Ventura County Star - CA
County joins bird quarantine; help to fight outbreak on way
By T.J. Sullivan, sullivan@insidevc.com
January 9, 2003
REF: http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_1661554,00.html
Ventura County bird owners were put on notice Wednesday that they must comply with the terms of a quarantine for exotic Newcastle disease, a restriction that could remain in effect through the summer and threaten competitions at the Ventura County Fair.
The notice came as both Gov. Gray Davis and the federal Department of Agriculture declared states of emergency because of an outbreak of the disease. After the state announced Ventura County was being added to the quarantine zone, the USDA said all of Southern California would be included, adding Santa Barbara and Imperial counties.
More than a million chickens already have been destroyed in the effort to combat the outbreak.
The first hints of END were discovered in October, when backyard chicken flocks in Southern California became infected. Ventura County joined the quarantine after a dead chicken was delivered last week to a veterinarian, who determined that it had died of END.
Officials have declined to identify in what community the Ventura County chicken was kept.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of birds, eggs, equipment or associated materials outside the quarantine zone. Birds affected by the quarantine include chickens, doves, ducks, geese, ostriches, peacocks, pigeons, turkeys and swans.
Caged birds, such as parakeets and parrots, are not included but could be included later because they are capable of transmitting the disease, officials said.
Failure to comply with the terms of the quarantine is punishable by civil penalties of up to $25,000.
The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner's Office urged bird owners not to transport any birds.
"If you move a bird from one location to another, you may come into contact with another bird that has the disease," said David Buettner, Ventura County's chief deputy agricultural commissioner.
The disease can be spread in a variety of ways but is most easily transmitted through fecal matter, which can be carried on shoes and clothing, Buettner said.
Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture, said it is unknown how long the quarantine might remain in effect and that it could last through the summer, affecting county fair competitions.
"Until we really know the scope of this thing and what area's affected, we can't really determine how long it's going to last," Cooper said.
Davis said the disease has "the potential to wipe out the poultry industry." However, his office stressed that the disease does not pose a risk to humans, and that poultry and egg products are safe for consumption.
The emergency declarations clear the way for government assistance in the form of both dollars and people to help combat the outbreak.
A similar outbreak in the 1970s grew to threaten the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens, many on Ventura County chicken farms, including Egg City in Moorpark.
It cost $56 million to eradicate the last outbreak of END from the state. It also contributed to the closure of Ventura County's egg farms, none of which is still in business.
Poultry is a $1 billion industry in California, the fifth-largest egg-producing state in the nation, Cooper said. California has 24 million egg-laying hens, many in the quarantine zone.
A 24-hour information hot line has been set up at (800) 491-1899. The state's Emergency Operations Center can be reached during regular business hours at (562) 795-1940. More information can be found at the state Department of Food and Agriculture's Web site, www.cdfa.ca.gov, by clicking on the photograph of the rooster.
-- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
United Press International
Newcastle quarantine extended in SoCal
By Hil Anderson
From the National Desk
Published 1/9/2003 1:32 AM
REF: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030109-013109-6188r
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Agriculture officials extended the quarantine against chickens that might be afflicted with Exotic Newcastle disease to eight Southern California counties Wednesday while officials in Washington state asked that its residents be on the lookout for signs the disease was spreading to other western states.
While Exotic Newcastle poses no threat to humans, it can quickly decimate poultry flocks and has been spreading quickly among chicken farms from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
"Exotic Newcastle is a devastating bird illness that has the potential to wipe out the poultry industry," California Gov. Gray Davis said Wednesday in declaring a state of emergency in Southern California.
More than 1 million chickens have been destroyed since Exotic Newcastle was discovered on a commercial egg farm in December. At the time, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties were placed under quarantine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) added Santa Barbara, Imperial, Orange and Ventura Counties to the list late Wednesday as a precaution against the disease spreading farther.
"The expanded quarantine creates a buffer zone around infected sites and provides additional security against spread of the disease," the Agriculture Department said in a release. "To do this, additional quarantines are immediately being imposed on non-infected counties adjacent to those counties infected with disease through the declaration of extraordinary emergency issued by the USDA today."
A virus that is often spread through commercial chicken farms by feather mites and dust from droppings, can incubate in only a three-day time period causes exotic Newcastle. The disease acts so quickly and is so devastating that chickens often drop dead after showing no outward signs of infection or malaise.
The virus is not harmful to humans, so eggs and poultry products are considered safe to eat, although California officials have ordered that eggs be thoroughly washed and packed in new sanitary containers before being shipped out of the quarantined counties.
The Agriculture Department said a task force of more than 600 state and federal workers was tackling the outbreak.
"Employees are working to prevent the further spread of the disease through a series of actions including identifying flocks, imposing quarantines, euthanizing and disposing of birds when appropriate, and cleaning and disinfecting infected sites, as well as providing educational resources to the poultry industry and community residents," the agency said.
Exotic Newcastle is not considered a threat to water fowl and other wild birds, although the state of Washington Wednesday night urged that any shipments of "wild fowl" into the state from California or Mexico be reported to the state veterinarian's office.
"We want to test the birds to ensure that they do not carry disease," said State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Mead. "Sick or dead birds must be tested to confirm Exotic Newcastle Disease because signs of the virus mimic other bird diseases. State or federal veterinarians will work with private veterinarians at no charge to the owner to collect samples for testing."
Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International
KTVU - LA Daily News
Feds Expand Disease Quarantine Zone
POSTED: 6:03 p.m. PST January 8, 2003
REF: http://www.ktvu.com/news/1878303/detail.html
REF: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E1097206,00.html
LOS ANGELES -- The federal Department of Agriculture on Wednesday expanded the quarantine zone for Exotic Newcastle Disease to include all of Southern California and declared a state of emergency because of the threat to the state's $3 billion a year poultry industry.
The federal announcement came hours after Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency, releasing money and manpower to combat the disease that has required the slaughter of more than 1.2 million chickens since it was discovered at commercial farms in December.
Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December.
Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties were the latest added to the quarantine zone, although no infected commercial chickens have been found in those counties.
"The purpose is to create a buffer zone around Newcastle Disease-infected sites. It provides additional security against the spread of the disease," USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins said.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of all poultry, poultry products and nesting materials from Los Angeles County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Hawkins said.
Because the disease cannot be transmitted to humans, eggs are being sanitized and allowed to pass through the quarantine zone.
California is the nation's third-largest egg producer. More than 9 million of the state's 12 million egg-laying hens are in the quarantine zone.
Since the outbreak, Canada stopped all shipments of poultry and its products from California for 14 days. Mexico, the state's leading export market for poultry, called for a similar ban.
Despite the ban, the outbreak has had little effect on the industry, analysts said. poultry and egg prices have remained stable.
"This isn't affecting the industry yet. We are still producing as many chickens and eggs as we've ever produced," said Bill Maddows of the California Poultry Federation.
The disease was first detected in backyard flocks in September.
In December, it was found at commercial farms in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Backyard chickens infected with Newcastle also were found in Los Angeles County.
A task force made up of state and federal agriculture officials and scientists has been monitoring the outbreak since it was discovered. The task force also has been advising commercial farms on security measures.
"The biggest issue is to move in quickly and keep it from spreading," said Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Cooper said the task force had begun door-to-door checks in areas where infected backyard chickens were found and implemented weekly veterinarian checks at all commercial farms in the quarantine zone.
"We're also starting to send some survey crews to the northern areas to make sure we haven't missed anything," he said.
Hawkins said the disease had not been detected at any commercial farm in more than a week. However, a backyard chicken in Ventura County tested positive for the disease, he said.
In 1971, a major outbreak occurred in Southern California and threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply.
In all, 1,341 infected flocks were identified and almost 12 million birds were destroyed, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The eradication program cost taxpayers $56 million and dramatically increased poultry prices. The disease was first diagnosed in California in 1950 among pheasants imported from Hong Kong.
The disease spreads quickly among birds. Signs of the disease in birds include sneezing, coughing, gasping for air, drooping wings, muscular tremors, paralysis and sudden death.
Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Boston.com - MA, Sarasota Herald-Tribune - FL, Miami Herald - FL, ABC News
Calif. governor, federal officials declare emergency over disease threatening poultry
By Chelsea J. Carter, Associated Press, 1/8/2003 23:12
REF: http://boston.com/dailynews/008/economy/Calif_governor_federal_officia:.shtml
REF: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030108&Category=APF&ArtNo=301081131&Ref=AR
REF: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/4903103.htm
REF: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Business/ap20030108_2310.html
LOS ANGELES (AP) Gov. Gray Davis and the federal Department of Agriculture declared states of emergency Wednesday over an outbreak of a disease threatening the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
The federal declaration expanded the quarantine zone for Exotic Newcastle Disease to include all of Southern California. It came hours after Davis released money and manpower to combat the disease, which is harmless to humans but fatal in birds.
The outbreak has required the slaughter of more than 1.2 million chickens since it was discovered in December at the state's commercial farms.
In the 1970s, a statewide outbreak of the disease threatened the nation's poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens. Eradicating the disease cost $56 million.
The new outbreak was first discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County.
Chickens in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties were quarantined in late December. Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties were the latest added to the quarantine zone.
Because the disease cannot be transmitted to humans, eggs are being sanitized and allowed to pass through the quarantine zone.
Since the outbreak, Canada temporarily stopped all shipments of poultry and poultry products from California. Mexico, the state's leading export market for poultry, enacted a similar ban.
The outbreak has had little effect on the industry so far, analysts said. Poultry and egg prices have remained stable.
The Press-Enterprise - CA
No vaccine prevents Newcastle disease
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK
01/08/2003
By LESLIE BERKMAN
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
REF: http://www.pe.com/business/local/PE_BIZ_nfbook08.58260.html
Aghast at the extermination of chickens in California's desperate effort to stop exotic Newcastle disease in its tracks, some people are asking why the chickens aren't being vaccinated instead.
Larry Hawkins, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said he wishes there were a vaccine good enough to shield a chicken from the fast-spreading virus but it doesn't exist.
Hawkins said vaccinations currently available for exotic Newcastle at best will merely reduce symptoms of the often-fatal disease. But infected birds that are symptomless can pass on the disease to healthy birds before anyone realizes what is happening.
"There is a much better chance of eradicating the disease through depopulation" of sick and disease-exposed birds so healthy flocks will be saved, Hawkins said.
As of Tuesday, about 1.2 million commercial and backyard birds had been euthanized in Southern California in the high-stakes campaign to save the region's egg industry.
• Leslie Berkman covers agriculture for The Press-Enterprise. Phone: (909) 893-2111. Fax: (909) 734-2518. E-mail: lberkman@pe.com
The Press-Enterprise - CA
Inland counties declare emergency over poultry
REGION: The two counties also ask for state and federal declarations on Newcastle disease.
01/08/2003
By DAVID SEATON and IMRAN GHORI
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
REF: http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/PE_NEWS_naeggs08.f8ed.html
San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Tuesday declared states of emergency because of exotic Newcastle disease that threatens the region's egg-laying industry.
The declarations also ask the governor to proclaim states of emergency for the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino and to seek a federal declaration from the president, clearing the way for state and federal aid for affected agencies and businesses.
The virus is causing significant economic losses to local businesses, officials said. More than 1 million egg-laying chickens in San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been infected by the disease and have been targeted for destruction.
The state has declared a regional quarantine in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties.
Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster said declaring a local crisis may not go far enough. He asked the county's agricultural commissioner to investigate ways the county can clamp down on the problem.
An emergency ordinance to punish people who move poultry in violation of the quarantine may be needed, Buster said. And the county knows there is an underground cock-fighting industry that may contribute to the spread of the disease, which is lethal in poultry but harmless to humans.
"I hope it's not too late," Buster said. "There may be much of Riverside County already infected."
Riverside County is the state's top egg-producer. The local industry was valued at $56.2 million in 2001 when chickens laid more than 1.7 billion eggs, said John Snyder, deputy agricultural commissioner, said.
Calling the state of emergency will also help relax state regulations to eradicate the infectious disease. For instance, landfills need to be accessible during closed hours to discard killed birds, county officials said.
David Seaton can reached by email at dseaton@pe.com.
KGTV - CA
State Declares Emergency In Poultry Crisis
Exotic Newcastle Disease Has Forced Quarantine
POSTED: 3:26 p.m. PST January 8, 2003
UPDATED: 3:50 p.m. PST January 8, 2003
REF: http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/news/1877972/detail.html
SAN DIEGO -- Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency Wednesday in San Diego and other Southern California areas hit by an avian disease that affects commercial and backyard poultry flocks.
"Exotic Newcastle disease is a devastating bird illness that has the potential to wipe out the poultry industry," Davis said from Sacramento.
The emergency declaration enables state agencies to pool resources. Davis directed the agriculture secretary and emergency services director to work together to stop the disease's spread and "eradicate it as quickly as possible."
Late last month, the disease was discovered at a commercial egg ranch in Ramona, prompting a local quarantine banning the movement of poultry and poultry products. Eggs are an exception, but must be sanitized and repackaged.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency declaration Tuesday.
"This disease has destroyed millions of dollars worth of chickens," said Supervisor Bill Horn, whose district includes most of the county's egg farms.
The local outbreak followed others. Quarantines are in effect in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties.
Since the disease was discovered in Los Angeles in October, more than 1.2 million birds in Southern California have been ordered destroyed, including 73,000 at the Ramona ranch where Exotic Newcastle was confirmed Dec. 29.
The disease doesn't affect humans, but is deadly to chickens and other poultry.
San Diego County ranks No. 2 in egg production in the state, and its agricultural industry already has been hard hit by a quarantine on produce in the Valley Center area due to a fruit fly infestation.
Boston.com, MA, Times Daily, AL, ABC News, Guardian, UK,
Calif. governor declares emergency over disease threatening poultry industry
By Associated Press, 1/8/2003 17:42 - Appeared in Many Sources
REF: http://boston.com/dailynews/008/economy/Calif_governor_declares_emerge:.shtml
REF: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030108&Category=APA&ArtNo=301081032&Ref=AR
REF: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030108_2034.html
REF: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-2306226,00.html
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) Gov. Gray Davis declared states of emergency Wednesday in six counties over an outbreak of a disease threatening the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
The declaration came a day after Riverside and San Bernardino counties asked the governor and President Bush to proclaim states of emergency that would clear the way for financial aid for affected businesses.
The governor's declaration covers those counties along with Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and Ventura.
Exotic Newcastle Disease, which is harmless to humans but fatal in birds, was discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County. Agriculture officials have ordered more than a million chickens destroyed.
A statewide outbreak of the disease in the 1970s threatened the nation's poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens. Eradicating the disease cost $56 million.
The state has quarantined birds in five of the counties covered by Wednesday's declaration.
Piedmonter, CA,
Governor declares emergency over outbreak of poultry disease
Posted on Wed, Jan. 08, 2003
Associated Press - Appeared in Several Sources with Slight Variations
REF: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/4898891.htm
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency Wednesday over the Southern California outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, which threatens the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
The action came a day after the boards of supervisors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties asked the governor and President Bush to proclaim states of emergency that would clear the way for financial aid for affected businesses.
The emergency declaration by Davis also allows state agencies to pool resources to work with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to eradicate the disease.
"Exotic Newcastle Disease is a devastating bird illness that has the potential to wipe out the poultry industry," Davis said in a written statement from Sacramento.
The disease is harmless to humans but fatal to birds.
The outbreak was first discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County. Thus far, agriculture officials have ordered more than a million chickens destroyed after finding diseased poultry in other areas.
A statewide outbreak of the disease in the 1970s threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens. It cost $56 million to eradicate the disease.
The state has declared a regional quarantine in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties. Authorities were considering whether to add Ventura County to the regulated area.
San Jose Biz Journals - CA
Davis declares chicken emergency
REF: http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/01/06/daily49.html
California Gov. Gray Davis has declared a state of emergency for six Southern California counties where outbreaks of "exotic Newcastle disease" are plaguing poultry populations. Over a million birds have been killed in an effort to stop spread of the highly contagious, often fatal, avian disease.
As it spreads northward, the state's entire $3 billion poultry industry could be threatened, state officials have said. Already, Mexico and Canada have banned imports of all California poultry.
Commercial flocks and backyard birds have been diagnosed with the disease. Quarantines are in place in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties.
Commercial poultry producers within quarantine zones must comply with a mandatory reporting system that identifies increased mortality, decreased egg production or any clinical symptoms suggestive of the disease.
Poultry and poultry products may not be moved from quarantined counties. Eggs may be moved only after they are washed, sanitized and packed in new materials.
The disease does not pose a risk to human health; poultry and egg products are safe to consume, state officials say.
The emergency declaration will enable state agencies to pool resources and work cooperatively with the California Department of Food and Agriculture in addressing the response to the incident. Emergency declarations are the customary means for the state to streamline such responses.
© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.
The Los Angeles Times - CA
January 8, 2003
Bad for Chickens, Good for Some Egg Farmers
For smaller California producers, a poultry virus may be their way out
By Melinda Fulmer, Times Staff Writer
REF: http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-egg8jan08,0,791487.story
LAKEVIEW -- Donning a paper biohazard suit and plastic booties, Paul Bahan steps over a thin plastic tape that serves as the last line of defense for the 600,000-plus hens at his AAA Egg Farms.
Bahan and other big egg producers in Southern California have put their farms on virtual lockdown, barring visitors, washing down trucks and disinfecting employees to keep their birds safe from exotic Newcastle disease.
The deadly virus has led state officials to order the destruction of about 1.2 million chickens in recent weeks and prompted the California Department of Food and Agriculture to draft a request to the governor for disaster assistance.
The virus is "a tremendous problem" because it can spread so easily, Bahan said. "This stuff is microscopic. It's hardy. It sticks on tires, shoes and the hair in your nose."
Yet as hard as Bahan and other big farmers are fighting to stave off the disease -- which is harmful only to birds, not humans -- industry observers say exotic Newcastle could be a blessing for many smaller California egg producers who are deeply in debt after four money-losing years.
That's because the state has agreed to compensate egg operations for the losses they suffer when they're ordered by agriculture officials to destroy their flocks. The state is paying farmers $2 to $5 per chicken, based on the bird's age.
Observers say that for many longtime farmers who no longer have any desire to remain in the industry -- and have no buyers in sight -- this could be a way out, albeit a grim one.
"They'd be crying all right, crying all the way to the bank," if their chickens were stricken, said one poultry producer who asked not to be named.
Alan Armstrong, an egg farmer in Valley Center in San Diego County with about 800,000 hens, agrees. "If you had a small flock and this hit you," he said, "you'd definitely consider getting out."
Bill Cramer's family owns the Lake Mathews-area farm in Riverside County that was the first commercial facility to be hit by exotic Newcastle disease. After having to destroy 75,000 birds, he and his father are considering selling the ranch, perhaps to real estate developers.
"If it wasn't this," Cramer said, "it would be a matter of time before we'd be shutting down some of these older farms anyway."
The reason for the grim outlook is simple: Supply has outstripped demand.
A glut of eggs from huge factory farms in the Midwest has pushed egg prices down precipitously for the last four years.
While the retail price of eggs in California has hardly budged over much of the last decade, the wholesale price has plunged 40% to 39 cents a dozen since peaking in 1996, according to Don Bell, emeritus poultry specialist with UC Riverside.
In 2002, California farmers on average lost about 6 cents for each dozen eggs that they produced.
"This could be a pivotal year," said Doug Kuney, a UC farm advisor. "You can't go forever without a positive income."
Adding to the pressure is the fact that many in the egg industry have reached retirement age, having entered the business when California was adding about 1 million birds a year during the 1950s and '60s.
Back then, recalled Lee Schrader, an emeritus agricultural economist at Purdue University, California was the industry's innovator, building state- of-the-art hen houses and packing facilities.
Not anymore. Higher land costs and other expenses, as well as increased regulation, have left little money for California producers to update their farms and make them more efficient.
The state's egg industry, which reached its peak of 42 million hens in 1971, when the last outbreak of exotic Newcastle hit, has since shrunk by half to about 22 million birds.
After once producing so many eggs that it had to ship its excess to surrounding states, California now is in an egg-deficit position, importing a third of what residents here consume from farms in Iowa and other parts of the Midwest.
What the industry needs to thrive, experts say, is a reduction in the overall number of egg farms. But so far, Midwestern farmers have been unwilling to scale back for fear of losing customers. And because they are more cost-efficient than their California counterparts, they can afford to hang on longer.
About 17 egg operations in California have gone under since 1996. Others have stayed afloat by selling off land or equipment, but farm consultants say many are running out of tricks and warn that only the largest ranches will survive.
"I think we will see continued consolidation of what's left," Bell said.
Meanwhile, the assault against exotic Newcastle will continue.
To prevent a replay of the 1971 outbreak, which led to the destruction of 12 million birds at a cost of $56 million, farmers are doing as much as they can to limit their risk.
Bahan, for instance, has closed down his retail shop, which sold eggs to locals, and has begun using bleach to hose off all trucks that enter his facility. He also is requiring employees to change clothes, don paper suits and rinse their feet every time they walk from across the farm's dusty parking lot to one of the farm's 17 massive hen houses.
If exotic Newcastle were to hit just one of Bahan's hen houses -- each with thousands of birds stacked in cages four high -- his entire 620,000-hen flock would have to be killed.
A producer as large as Bahan's AAA, which supplies most of the eggs for Stater Bros. Markets, probably would be able to recover and restock.
But smaller producers may well choose a different course, Bahan acknowledged.
Even without exotic Newcastle, "some of them are already in a position of questioning how much longer they can continue," he said.
"This will knock some people out. No doubt about it."
Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Inland Valley Voice
County calls for state of emergency
San Bernardino takes step toward seeking financial assistance for ranches affected by disease.
By Buck Wargo, Inland Valley Voice
REF: http://www.latimes.com/la-ivo-bird08jan08,0,2219648.story
SAN BERNARDINO -- The County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency Tuesday to seek state and federal help with a deadly bird virus.
Fire Chief Peter Hills said the primary purpose of the declaration is to open doors to financial assistance available to chicken ranchers coping with exotic Newcastle disease.
The disease, which does not infect humans, will result in the destruction of 1 million chickens at a Fontana egg farm. The fast-spreading ailment has yet to strike any other commercial poultry operations in San Bernardino County, but it still concerns local authorities, Hills said.
"The county sees this as having a significant impact on the poultry industry," Hills said.
Farmers and bird owners whose animals are destroyed by state and federal officials already receive the market price for the birds. They receive no compensation for lost business.
The next step is for Gov. Gray Davis to declare a state of emergency and forward a request for help to the federal government.
The emergency declaration also helps the state assign more staff to handle the outbreak.
State Department of Food and Agriculture officials said Tuesday that the disease has not spread any farther in San Bernardino County. San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties are under quarantine. Agricultural officials said the quarantine could be extended to Ventura County.
San Bernardino County Battalion Chief Marc Peebles said the declaration also enables the county to receive financial assistance if necessary, including costs for code enforcement and disposal at a county landfill. The birds are slated to be disposed of at Mid-Valley landfills in Rialto and Peebles.
"We don't know what kind of assistance is out there and what will be needed, but this allows us access to that route," Peebles said.
Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times
The Bakersfield Californian
Agriculture almanac Jan. 8
REF: http://www.bakersfield.com/business/story/2425655p-2475063c.html
Around the state
* The Los Angeles and San Diego zoos and the San Diego Wild Animal Park have closed their aviaries to the public to prevent the spread of exotic Newcastle disease. The zoos are located in counties quarantined for the disease, which is deadly and highly contagious among birds, but poses no threat to humans.
* State agriculture officials have confirmed that a pet chicken, brought to a veterinarian in Ventura County, had exotic Newcastle disease. Officials are reviewing the information and may add the county to the quarantine zone, which now includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. There are no commercial flocks in Ventura County -- producers abandoned the county during the last Newcastle outbreak in the 1970s.
North County Times - CA
County declare emergency for poultry disease
ROB O'DELL
Staff Writer
REF: http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030108/62628.html
RIVERSIDE ---- The county Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency because of the outbreak of a contagious disease affecting poultry, which threatens the county's egg and poultry industries valued at about $56 million.
Exotic Newcastle Disease, which is deadly to poultry but cannot be contracted by humans, was first detected in backyard flocks in October but has spread to commercial flocks in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, resulting in the killings of more than 1 million birds on commercial farms in Riverside and San Bernardino counties alone.
Riverside County is the top egg-producing county in the state, with many of its commercial farms located in the San Jacinto, Nuevo, Hemet and Perris areas. There are no large commercial farms in Southwest Riverside County, county officials said.
"This is an extremely serious situation that threatens the entire industry," said Supervisor Bob Buster. "We need more than a state of emergency ... I hope it's not too late."
After a motion by Buster, the board voted unanimously to declare the state of emergency and to ask the county's agriculture commissioner, James Wallace, to come back to the board next week with new ideas on how the county can prevent the movement of birds into and out of the county. Buster suggested a larger program where the agriculture commissioner would work with code enforcement and law enforcement to prevent the movement of birds.
A quarantine imposed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits the movement of all poultry, poultry products and nesting materials from Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties.
Buster, along with fellow Supervisor John Tavaglione, blamed the spread of the disease in part on illegal cock-fighting that Buster said has been a problem in the area for a long time. He even suggested that the agriculture commissioner seek the advice of the county's attorney for the possibility of setting up new sanctions for anyone caught moving birds into or out of the quarantine zone.
The state of emergency does not provide any immediate relief, said county spokesman Ray Smith. But it does serve as the catalyst for receiving state and/or federal assistance. In its declaration, the county asks Gov. Gray Davis to proclaim a state of emergency and asks that he further request that President Bush do the same.
Smith said the declaration allows the dead chickens to be buried in landfills. Smith said state law regulates what can be put in landfills, and the county state of emergency provides an exception to that regulation.
Contact staff writer Rob O'Dell at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2626 or at rodell@californian.com.
1/8/03
The Press-Enterprise - CA
Inland counties declare emergency over poultry
REGION: The two counties also ask for state and federal declarations on Newcastle disease.
01/08/2003
By DAVID SEATON and IMRAN GHORI
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
REF: http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_naeggs08.f8ed.html
San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Tuesday declared states of emergency because of exotic Newcastle disease that threatens the region's egg-laying industry.
The declarations also ask the governor to proclaim states of emergency for the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino and to seek a federal declaration from the president, clearing the way for state and federal aid for affected agencies and businesses.
The virus is causing significant economic losses to local businesses, officials said. More than 1 million egg-laying chickens in San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been infected by the disease and have been targeted for destruction.
The state has declared a regional quarantine in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties.
Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster said declaring a local crisis may not go far enough. He asked the county's agricultural commissioner to investigate ways the county can clamp down on the problem.
An emergency ordinance to punish people who move poultry in violation of the quarantine may be needed, Buster said. And the county knows there is an underground cock-fighting industry that may contribute to the spread of the disease, which is lethal in poultry but harmless to humans.
"I hope it's not too late," Buster said. "There may be much of Riverside County already infected."
Riverside County is the state's top egg-producer. The local industry was valued at $56.2 million in 2001 when chickens laid more than 1.7 billion eggs, said John Snyder, deputy agricultural commissioner, said.
Calling the state of emergency will also help relax state regulations to eradicate the infectious disease. For instance, landfills need to be accessible during closed hours to discard killed birds, county officials said.
David Seaton can reached by email at dseaton@pe.com.
Imran Ghori can reached by email at ighori@pe.com.
The Press-Enterprise, CA and The Bakersfield Californian, CA
Pair of SoCal counties want financial aid for poultry disease
The Associated Press
REF: http://www.pe.com/ap_news/California/CA_Exotic_Newcastle_Disease_94083C.shtml
REF: http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/2430102p-2478961c.html
RIVERSIDE
Riverside and San Bernardino counties have declared states of emergency because of the outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, which threatens the region's poultry industry.
The declarations approved Tuesday by both counties' Board of Supervisors ask Gov. Gray Davis and President Bush to proclaim states of emergency that would clear the way for financial aid for affected businesses.
The disease is harmless to humans but fatal to birds. Agriculture officials have ordered more than a million chickens destroyed after finding new cases of the disease. The outbreak was discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County.
The state has declared a regional quarantine in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties. Authorities were considering whether to add Ventura County to the regulated area.
A statewide outbreak of the disease in the 1970s threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens. It cost $56 million to eradicate the disease.
Riverside County is the state's top egg-producer. The local industry was valued at $56.2 million in 2001 when chickens laid more than 1.7 billion eggs, said John Snyder, the county's deputy agricultural commissioner.
Published: Wednesday, January 8, 2003 01:55 PST
Salisbury Daily Times, MD
Delmarva poultry industry unaffected by Avian Flu
By John Vandiver
Daily Times Staff Writer
REF: http://www.dailytimesonline.com/news/stories/20030108/localnews/730455.html
SALISBURY -- Though last year's Avian Flu outbreak wreaked havoc on the poultry business in Virginia, industry officials say farmers on the Lower Shore made it through the year without a single chicken infected.
Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., said what costs local farmers did incur where the result of increased efforts in biosecurity.
"There was increased washing and disinfecting of trucks passing through infected areas, but it's hard to put a dollar figure on that," he said.
Avian influenza -- a low-level pathogen that does not harm humans -- is highly contagious to poultry and can be carried via people or vehicles that have visited infected farms. The disease spread through large portions of the Shenandoah Valley last year, beginning in March and tapering off in August.
About 5 million birds were slaughtered in Virginia, according to Richard Lobb, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council. He said 197 farms -- 153 turkey farms, 42 chicken farms and two egg farms -- were infected, with an estimated loss of about $140 million.
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner has allotted $1.5 million in indemnity for Shenandoah Valley farmers who lost flocks to the avian flu.
In Southern California there has been a break out of another disease -- Exotic Newcastle Disease -- which has led officials to quarantine poultry operations in the region. Lobb said it is unlikely that the disease could be transmitted to the Delmarva Peninsula.
Last May, DPI executives canceled the trade association's annual festival that promotes Delmarva's chicken industry because of concerns that growers could spread the disease.
This year's event is scheduled to take place in Dover on June 20 and 21.
Officials from Perdue Farms Inc. said preventive biosecurity initiatives will continue to be used to help keep the virus off the peninsula.
Still, there are limits to what farmers can do to protect flocks from the virus, which can be transmitted through a variety of sources.
Carole Morison, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Justice Alliance, said while it is important to take preventative measures, the fate of many farmers is up to chance.
"Pretty much all we can do is restrict people from coming on the farm. That's about it," she said.
Reach John Vandiver at 410-749-7171, Ext. 242, or jvandiver@smgpo.gannett.com.
Originally published Wednesday, January 8, 2003
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - FL
Pair of SoCal counties want financial aid for poultry disease
The Associated Press
REF: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030108&Category=APN&ArtNo=301080653&Ref=AR
Riverside and San Bernardino counties have declared states of emergency because of the outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, which threatens the region's poultry industry.
The declarations approved Tuesday by both counties' Board of Supervisors ask Gov. Gray Davis and President Bush to proclaim states of emergency that would clear the way for financial aid for affected businesses.
The disease is harmless to humans but fatal to birds. Agriculture officials have ordered more than a million chickens destroyed after finding new cases of the disease. The outbreak was discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County.
The state has declared a regional quarantine in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties. Authorities were considering whether to add Ventura County to the regulated area.
A statewide outbreak of the disease in the 1970s threatened the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply and led authorities to destroy nearly 12 million chickens. It cost $56 million to eradicate the disease.
Riverside County is the state's top egg-producer. The local industry was valued at $56.2 million in 2001 when chickens laid more than 1.7 billion eggs, said John Snyder, the county's deputy agricultural commissioner.
Last modified: January 08. 2003 4:55AM
San Bernardino County Sun - CA
Daily Bulletin - CA
Three counties declare state of emergency to fight disease
By LISA C. BERGHOUSE, Staff Writer
REF: http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E1095327,00.html
REF: http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%257E21481%257E1095506,00.html
To combat a disease which could destroy the state's poultry industry, San Bernardino, San Diego and Los Angeles counties each declared a state of emergency Tuesday.
Over 1.3 million chickens have been killed in the last week because they were exposed to the highly contagious exotic Newcastle disease.
The three counties' declarations could possibly lead to the governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture doing the same.
A declaration by the federal agency will make it easier to designate funding for the region.
"The state seems to understand issues like this,' said Dennis Hansberger, newly appointed chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. "I think they will grant our request."
Gov. Gray Davis is expected to hear the request to declare a state of emergency in the next few days, a state Department of Food and Agriculture official said.
In the last week roughly 600 people have investigated 4,700 locations and found about 1,100 contaminated sites, officials for the state agency said.
About 43,000 of those birds were found in back yards, said the agency's spokesman Larry Cooper.
Egg and poultry farmers will receive a fair market value for the chickens that are killed.
Newcastle disease is not a danger to humans, but it can easily wipe out entire populations of fowl, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, grouse, partridges, pheasants, quail, guinea fowl, peafowl and others.
"The poultry industry, just in the state of California, has been estimated at $1.2 (billion) to $1.3 billion,' said Larry Hawkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"We must take action now to control this disease and prevent permanent damage to the industry,' said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.
The disease was first found in a back yard in Los Angeles County in September.
A regional quarantine has been placed on San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties Nov. 13. Orange County was added Dec. 30, Hawkins said.
"The quarantine won't be lifted until there is absolute certainty there is no sign of the disease,' Cooper said.
The disease spreads easily through manure and is transmitted bird to bird through secretions through the birds' noses, mouth and eyes.
Copyright © 2002 San Bernardino County Sun
Los Angeles Newspaper Group
LA Daily News - CA
Disease not only problem for store
By Naush Boghossian
Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 8:01:51 PM MST
REF: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%7E20949%7E1095010,00.html?search=filter#
CANYON COUNTRY -- The Feed Bin in Canyon Country, a throwback to the Santa Clarita Valley's more rural days, is closing after an outbreak of Newcastle disease among poultry sold there.
The store will close Jan. 31, badly hurt by the outbreak and suffering a steady decline in business as Santa Clarita housing tracts replaced the old ranches that once thrived here, said owner Lance Willis.
"There are 300 new homes going up, and I don't think you'll find chickens and goats there," Willis said of one nearby development.
The decision to close came last month after several chickens at the feed and grain store mysteriously became ill and one died on Dec. 12. Store workers called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which confirmed the presence of the contagious and fatal viral disease that affects all species of birds.
The CDC shut down his store for two weeks while about 30 men in white hazmat suits removed about 150 chickens, ducks, geese and other birds, and about $90,000 in feed and hay. Only products in sealed plastic containers were permitted to remain on the property.
Now, the big red barn next to the store, once brimming with feed and bales of hay, stands empty, and a sign announcing 25 percent off all products greets shoppers.
Willis estimates he lost several hundred thousand dollars in business.
"The men in the suits were all over the property, and that was really helping business," Willis cracked. "I lost two weeks before Christmas, and it takes one or two months to restock the whole place."
While the diseased chickens precipitated the owner's decision to shut down, declining business over the years strengthened his resolve.
"That was the icing on the cake. It was the effects of Newcastle disease, plus this area's changing," the Canyon Country resident said. "This business is marginal enough as it is, and it had run its course. There's probably something else better suited for this property."
Willis took over the 54-year-old business in July 2000 as an investment, with plans to expand the existing building by 3,000 square feet and add an animal barn and a new storage barn in the back.
He thought business would improve if he fixed up the place and upgraded the inventory.
"I was naive in assuming if the quality and quantity went up that we would get the business. I think we did, but business was steadily going down," Willis said.
The owner already had considered that the business eventually would have to change to carry products better suited for the people moving in to the new homes.
"Two and a half years later, one Newcastle disease and one City of Santa Clarita, and enough is enough," said Willis, who has decided to lease the nearly one-acre property.
Already, Santa Clarita Valley Golf Cars has leased part of the land, believing that nearby ranches will support the business.
Willis plans to donate some of the remaining products to the two nonprofit organizations he supports -- the Michael Hoefflin Foundation and the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club.
With the Feed Bin closed, Fox Feed, located up the road, will be more than able to meet the needs of the local community, Willis said.
"It's called the 'END,' or exotic Newcastle disease, and now it is the end for us," Willis said.
Los Angeles Time - Ontario Section - CA
January 7, 2003
Inland Valley Voice
County: Avian virus hits crisis level
By Buck Wargo, Inland Valley Voice
REF: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/ontario/news/la-ivo-newcastle07jan07,0,7842788.story?coll=la%2Dtcn%2Dontario%2Dnews
FONTANA -- Saying it is unable to adequately cope with a deadly bird virus, San Bernardino County is preparing to declare a state of emergency in a move to seek federal and state assistance for the county and area chicken ranchers.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today will vote whether to ask Gov. Gray Davis to proclaim a state of emergency in the county and to forward the request to President Bush.
Later this week, the state Department of Food and Agriculture will ask Davis to declare an emergency for San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties -- the five counties where a quarantine on birds and poultry products is in place, agency spokeswoman Leticia Rico said.
State and federal resources could be used to offset San Bernardino County's costs associated with stopping the fast-spreading exotic Newcastle disease and helping ranchers who sustain losses, said Tracey Martinez, a county Fire Department spokeswoman. The disease has been found in backyard chicken flocks across the Inland Valley and in a commercial egg farm in south Fontana where about 1 million chickens will be destroyed, she said.
"The county has incurred costs with its efforts of the public health and agricultural departments, but clearly the big victims are the farmers," San Bernardino County spokesman David Wert said. "They have suffered a great deal and it is the role of government to get them the assistance they need. That is probably the major thrust of this. Agriculture is still a significant part of this county's economy. The county does not have the resources to assist the private sector to the degree they need to be to get them back on their feet."
Riverside County is considering a similar declaration today in part to help ranchers become eligible for low-interest loans to recover from the loss of their chickens, said Bonnie Reed, Riverside County emergency services program coordinator.
Officials have killed more than 100,000 chickens at a ranch near Riverside and 75,000 chickens in San Diego County as well as about 43,000 backyard birds across Southern California.
Exotic Newcastle disease kills nearly 100% of birds infected, but poses no threat to people. People cannot become infected by eating birds or eggs.
Declaring a state of emergency could allow officials to alter the hours and disposal requirements at landfills; pave the way for state workers to help county eradication efforts; activate mutual aid agreements that allow local governments to assist one another; and help business owners obtain assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration, said Eric Lamoureux, spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services.
It wasn't known Monday where the hens will be dumped in San Bernardino County. The remains in Riverside County were dumped at the El Sobrante Landfill near Corona, Reed said.
Inland Empire counties represent nearly 40% of the state's egg industry, producing about $82 million of the $235 million worth of eggs sold in 2001.
The state and federal governments pay ranchers and residents market value when hens and other birds are destroyed. Owners don't have to pay for the birds' disposal, Rico said.
Government money helps replace the birds but doesn't cover loss of business, said Mark Looker, a spokesman for the California Poultry Assn. Ranchers need to wait at least 30 days after a cleanup before bringing birds to a farm.
Poultry industry officials also are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state agriculture department for more staff to monitor the disease, Looker said.
U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Larry Hawkins said staffing had been increased to more than 600 workers compared to 200 in recent weeks.
The ongoing monitoring of the disease by federal and state officials has some bird owners on edge.
Muscoy resident Bob LaMar said he will fight any attempt to destroy his birds unless they show signs of the disease. His property has been quarantined.
LaMar has 400 ducks, geese and doves, including some show birds. He also said he has federal and state permits to own endangered birds in an enclosure on his 3-acre homestead. His most valuable birds, a pair of Siberian geese, cost $1,200.
"It's really hitting the breeders very hard," LaMar said.
Agriculture spokeswoman Leticia Rico said the disease task force can seize birds, but officials will exhaust all steps to cooperate with an owner before obtaining a warrant.
Inland Valley Voice staff writer Matthew Chin contributed to this report.
KGTV, CA
Local State Of Emergency Declared Over Diseased Poultry
Exotic Newcastle Disease Discovered In Ramona Chickens
POSTED: 1:51 p.m. PST January 7, 2003
UPDATED: 1:59 p.m. PST January 7, 2003
REF: http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/news/1874912/detail.html
SAN DIEGO -- With the discovery of exotic Newcastle disease at a commercial egg ranch in Ramona and a quarantine on poultry in effect, San Diego County supervisors proclaimed a local emergency Tuesday.
The board ratified the local emergency proclamation that county Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard had signed last week.
The action enables the county and producers to ask for state and federal help.
A task force of state and federal officials charged with eradicating the disease late last week asked the federal government for $121 million in assistance and a federal declaration of emergency.
"This disease has destroyed millions of dollars worth of chickens," said Supervisor Bill Horn, whose district includes most of the county's egg farms.
"In the last two days alone, North County has lost $20 million that we can't recoup, at least right away," Horn said.
A quarantine that state officials placed across Southern California early last week bans the movement of poultry and poultry products. Eggs are an exception, but must be sanitized and repackaged.
San Diego County ranks No. 2 in egg production in the state, and its agricultural industry already has been hard hit by a quarantine on produce in the Valley Center area due to a fruit fly infestation.
Other poultry operations in the county were being closely monitored by the state for any signs of exotic Newcastle disease, which doesn't affect humans, but is deadly to chickens and other poultry.
Resurfacing for the first time since the 1970s, the disease was discovered in Los Angles County on Oct. 1, resulting in the destruction of 40,000 birds. Last week, the disease was found on a commercial ranch in Riverside, where 100,000 birds were destroyed.
A few days later it showed up on a chicken ranch in San Bernardino County, where more than 1 million birds are to be destroyed.
Copyright 2003 by TheSanDiegoChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Rochester Agri News, MN
Business news and notes
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
REF: http://webstar.postbulletin.com/agrinews/276733561697978.bsp
SACRAMENTO -- Canada and Mexico have banned shipments of poultry and poultry products from California because of the outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease, the California Farm Bureau said.
The disease, which threatens the state's $3 billion poultry industry, is harmless to humans but fatal to birds.
State farm officials said Canada will stop all shipments of poultry and its products from California for 14 days. Mexico, the state's leading export market for poultry, also called for a similar ban.
The California Poultry Federation, which represents about 160 poultry farmers, was lobbying for the bans to be modified to include only six quarantined counties in Southern California.
Agriculture officials ordered more than a million chickens destroyed after finding new cases of the disease. The outbreak was discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County.
Meanwhile, Ventura County will join Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties with quarantine restrictions after the discovery of an exotic Newcastle infection there, state officials said.
The Press-Enterprise - CA
Bird disease to bring disaster declarations
NEWCASTLE: The Inland counties plan the actions in the hope of gaining federal and state help.
01/07/2003
By SHARON McNARY
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
REF: http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_NEWS_nbbirds07.f768.html
SAN BERNARDINO - Supervisors in San Bernardino and Riverside counties are set to declare local emergencies today to get state and federal help containing exotic Newcastle disease in poultry flocks.
State authorities are in the process of destroying more than one 1 chickens and other birds in infected flocks in five Southern California counties, including San Bernardino and Riverside, where egg production is big business.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to ask the governor to declare a state of emergency and to seek a federal emergency declaration from the president. Such declarations can clear the way for affected agencies and businesses to get low-interest loans and other help.
Backyard poultry flocks in Southern California were diagnosed with exotic Newcastle disease Oct. 1. The disease is contagious and fatal to birds, harming their respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. It kills quickly, sometimes without observable symptoms, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report said.
The disease is harmless to humans, but people can carry it on their shoes if they walk from an infected poultry yard to an uninfected one. Major Southern California zoos have closed their walk-through bird displays.
Parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been under a state-veterinarian quarantine, which prohibits the transportation of birds or poultry products (except sanitized eggs), since Nov. 13. A federal quarantine imposed later in November bars the interstate transportation of poultry.
Poultry farmers within the quarantine zone must report increased rates of poultry death, declining egg production and other symptoms that suggest presence of the disease.
Reach Sharon McNary at (909) 890-4453 or smcnary@pe.com
San Bernardino County Sun - CA
Poultry crisis worsens
County may enact state of emergency because of exotic Newcastle disease
By ALAN SCHNEPF, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Monday, January 06, 2003 - 11:33:03 PM MST
REF: http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E1093094,00.html
SAN BERNARDINO - San Bernardino County may declare a state of emergency today because of a virulent disease that is ravaging the region's egg industry.
Exotic Newcastle disease has already prompted agriculture officials to put a quarantine on poultry in western San Bernardino and Riverside counties and all of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties.
The malady was discovered in October but kept out of large commercial egg ranches until the end of last month. Positive tests for the disease at commercial ranches in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties forced officials to destroy more than 2 million chickens.
About 40,000 "backyard' birds have been destroyed at about 1,100 different sites.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has already declared a state of emergency and Riverside and San Diego counties also are considering that action.
Greg Renick, a public information officer for the state Office of Emergency Services, said the declarations are usually a precursor to having an emergency declared at the state level. When that happens, state emergency coordinators can force agencies to help out with the situation, he said.
Renick declined to say which agencies will be recruited into the battle against exotic Newcastle if that emergency is declared.
"I don't want to speculate on what the proclamation from the governor is going to say,' Renick said. "Until he proclaims the state of emergency, I don't want to do anything other than speak generally.'
Although owners of birds that are destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease are compensated for their loss, exotic Newcastle could still have a big negative impact on the local economy.
San Bernardino Agriculture Commissioner Edouardo Laylaye said hens laid about 61 million eggs worth $26.1 million countywide in 2001. But nearly 25 percent of the county's flock was destroyed after infected birds were found at E&M Ranch in Fontana. More than a million chickens were destroyed.
Numerous foreign countries have temporarily banned exports of California poultry and eggs because of the disease.
Exotic Newcastle is easily transmitted from flock to flock. For example, a person who walks in the waste of an infected bird can transfer the disease by walking into another coop days later. An outbreak in the early 1970s was contained after workers destroyed about 12 million birds at a cost of $56 million.
Larry Hawkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said he is not aware of any financial assistance that will become available by declaring a state of emergency. Federal and state money is being used to pay the more than 400-person task force set up to fight the disease. The ranks of that force are expected to swell because of exotic Newcastle's entrance into commercial flocks.
KNBC - Los Angeles, CA
Riverside Officials Ask For Local Emergency To Be Declared
Exotic Newcastle Disease Threatening Poultry Industry
POSTED: 12:34 p.m. PST January 6, 2003
UPDATED: 12:48 p.m. PST January 6, 2003
REF: http://www.nbc4.tv/news/1871882/detail.html
RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Riverside County agricultural officials say the deadly virus spreading through California's egg-laying industry has spiraled out of control.
Riverside's agricultural commissioner is asking the Board of Supervisors to declare a local emergency Tuesday because of exotic Newcastle disease, and for the state and President George W. Bush to follow suit.
Exotic Newcastle disease is harmless to humans, but fatal to birds, making it a severe threat to the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
California is the nation's third-largest egg producer and Riverside County is the top egg-producer in the state.
An emergency declaration could lead to financial assistance for commercial egg ranches affected by the disease.
More than 1 million birds have already been destroyed. An initial raid was triggered by a discovery of some diseased birds at a nearby illegal cock-fighting operation.
Newcastle disease cannot be transmitted to humans and is not a threat to human public health.
Copyright 2003 by NBC4.tv. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sarasota Herald Tribune - FL
News briefs from Southern California
By The Associated Press
REF: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030106&Category=APN&ArtNo=301060821&Ref=AR
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) - Riverside County agricultural officials say they will ask the Board of supervisors to declare a local emergency Tuesday because of a deadly virus that is killing egg-laying chickens in several Southern California counties.
Similar declarations should be made by the state and President Bush, they said.
Exotic Newcastle Disease is harmless to humans, but fatal to birds, making it a severe threat to the state's $3 billion poultry industry.
California is the nation's third-largest egg producer and Riverside County is the top egg-producer in the state.
An emergency declaration could lead to financial assistance for commercial egg ranches affected by the disease.
Wisconsin Ag Connection - WI
California Poultry Won't be Exported After Outbreak
USAgNet Editors - 01/06/2003
REF: http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-national.cfm?Id=19&yr=2003
An outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in California threatens shipments of poultry and poultry products to Canada and Mexico. Canadian officials said they would stop all shipments of poultry products from all of California for 14 days while Mexican officials are considering a similar ban.
The disease was first discovered in September and California agriculture officials say they have ordered more than 1 million chickens destroyed as a result. But that has not been sufficient to convince Canadian or Mexican officials California is controlling the spread of the disease.
California Poultry Federation officials are upset with the actions by the two countries. As it is, state officials expanded a quarantine area to include San Diego County after the virus was found in a commercial flock of 75,000 birds there.
The Press-Enterprise - CA
County may claim state of emergency
POULTRY: Newcastle disease may devastate Riverside County's commercial egg industry.
01/06/2003
By DAVID SEATON
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
REF: http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_naeggs06.a136c.html
RIVERSIDE - The deadly virus spreading through the region's egg-laying industry has spiraled out of control, according Riverside County agricultural officials.
The county's agricultural commissioner is asking the Board of Supervisors to declare a local emergency Tuesday, and for the state and President Bush to follow suit.
Such action could lead to financial assistance for commercial egg ranches crippled by exotic Newcastle disease. Help could come in the form of low-interest loans. Such aid has been given to avocado farmers after windstorms and cattle ranchers during drought.
"It's going to be a huge economic impact on our county and we don't know what the federal government is going to do about that," said Bonnie Reed, emergency services program coordinator for the county. "There's that whole economic loss that affects the community when people aren't working."
Calling a state of emergency will also help relax state regulations to eradicate the infectious disease, Reed said. For instance, landfills need to be accessible during closed hours to discard killed birds, she said.
Riverside County is the state's top egg-producer. The local industry was valued at $56.2 million in 2001 when chickens laid more than 1.7 billion eggs, said John Snyder, deputy agricultural commissioner.
More than 100,000 chickens were killed at Orchard Egg Ranch outside Riverside, and another 1 million destroyed in San Bernardino County last month to slow the spread of Newcastle.
The disease devastated the poultry industry in 1974, when nearly 12 million birds had to be killed in Southern California at a cost of $56 million. San Diego County has already declared a local emergency and San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties are doing the same, Reed said.
The state Department of Agriculture has imposed a quarantine in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties and western Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Commercial poultry cannot be moved beyond the quarantine boundaries. Eggs can still be shipped outside the quarantine area once they are sanitized.
The quarantine also applies to other poultry species such as turkeys, ducks, quail, doves, pigeons, swans and ostriches. Newcastle is not harmful to humans.
The first positive test for Newcastle in Riverside County was Oct. 1 when it was found in backyard chickens. Some 40,000 backyard birds have been destroyed.
Reach David Seaton at (909) 368-9456 or dseaton@pe.com
United Press International
UPI Farming Today
By Gregory Tejeda
United Press International
From the Business & Economics Desk
Published 1/6/2003 1:15 AM
REF: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030105-011503-5035r
Mexico, Canada won't take Calif. poultry
An outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in California threatens shipments of poultry and poultry products to Canada and Mexico.
Canadian officials said they would stop all shipments of poultry products from all of California for 14 days while Mexican officials are considering a similar ban.
The disease was first discovered in September and California agriculture officials say they have ordered more than 1 million chickens destroyed as a result. But that has not been sufficient to convince Canadian or Mexican officials California is controlling the spread of the disease.
California Poultry Federation officials are upset with the actions by the two countries. They believe the disease has only affected poultry products from the six southernmost counties of California, and they have been pushing for the bans to be modified to include poultry only from that limited area.
As it is, state officials expanded a quarantine area to include San Diego County after the virus was found in a commercial flock of 75,000 birds there.
Orange County also is on the quarantine list even though no commercial poultry operations exist there. Officials say they are trying to prevent the potential transport of infected birds through the suburban Los Angeles.
The outbreak was discovered in September in backyard chicken flocks in Los Angeles County. Other counties affected by the disease include Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino.
California officials are trying to prevent a repeat of the statewide outbreak of the disease that occurred in the 1970s.
That outbreak ultimately threatened the entire poultry and egg supply in the United States and led officials to destroy nearly 12 million chickens, causing economic losses for poultry farmers and the industry totaling $56 million.
Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International
North County Times - CA
Economy, not human life, is threat posed by Newcastle
BRUCE KAUFFMAN
Staff Writer
REF: http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030105/11111.html
Officials are telling the public that the economy ---- not the health of human beings ---- is the threat posed by the relentlessly fatal Exotic Newcastle Disease that has led to the destruction of more than a million chickens in Southern California, including some 85,000 in North County.
The disease has led state and federal agriculture officials to seal off six counties ---- including San Diego County ---- from importing and exporting poultry and other fowl. At least one North County bird dealer has shut her doors.
At the same time, the more than $2.5 billion poultry industry in California took another blow as Canada and Mexico joined a list of countries barring the import of the state's birds and poultry products.
Poultry disease specialists say every species of bird is susceptible to the virus that causes Newcastle disease, though some birds appear to be able to carry it in their systems longer and show no symptoms.
'Absolutely' no threat to humans
Just because egg-producing hens and other birds are coming down with the Newcastle virus, people can not catch the disease, said both the county veterinarian and a state poultry adviser. Even eating the meat or eggs of a diseased chicken will not harm humans, they said.
In separate interviews last week as the disease spread for the first time to a farm in Ramona, the veterinarian, Kerry Mahoney, and the adviser, Douglas Kuney of the University of California, said that, like parvo or distemper in dogs, Newcastle is particular to birds.
"It is uniquely adapted to avian species, and not so to non-avian tissue," said Kuney, who has been monitoring the outbreak of the virus from an office at UC Riverside. "It poses absolutely no threat to human health."
Mahoney said the only known problem in humans has occurred in farmworkers who spend a lot of time "in close proximity" with the animals, and then the only effect was runny eyes that soon cleared up.
Imports barred
The countries of Japan, Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Tahiti are among those that joined neighbors Canada and Mexico in banning the import of California poultry. The governments of Canada and Mexico said their import prohibition will stay in effect at least another 12 days.
The dollar cost of it all is not clear. Veterinarian Mahoney said the economic consequences for the poultry industry could be "devastating." Eradication efforts alone after an outbreak in the early 1970s cost the state some $56 million. About 12 million birds were destroyed.
California is the nation's third largest egg producer. The poultry industry directly employs some 25,000 people in the state with a payroll of a quarter-billion dollars, according to the California Poultry Industry Federation, a trade group.
Since the fall, some 1.4 million birds on five Southern California farms have been ordered destroyed. About 85,000 were being euthanized last week after the first reported outbreak in San Diego County, at the Sylvester International farm on Old Julian Highway in Ramona.
The owner, Sylvester Feichtinger, who has two other farms and some 200,000 chickens in San Diego County, said it will be a year before he'll stock his farm again with chickens.
The state and federal governments will pay Feichtinger and other farmers at or near the fair market value for the chickens that are killed. Farmers will not be paid for future losses or the money that would have been made had production not been interrupted.
The poultry federation reports that the industry in 2000 produced a value of $51.3 million to farmers in San Diego County and $68.3 million in Riverside.
The outbreak in Ramona prompted officials to impose a quarantine on the entire county of San Diego. Also under quarantine ---- meaning no product is to be moved in or out of the area except for sanitized eggs ----- are Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties and the western parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Authorities added Ventura this week when a pet bird was found to have come down with the disease. In Riverside, the quarantined area includes Temecula, Wildomar, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee and Hemet.
North County's commercial agricultural yield has been declining, but the region is still home to several chicken egg ranches, mainly in Ramona and Valley Center. The area also contains ostrich and emu farms. Those farmers have seemingly been optimistic their flocks will elude the disease. They have said the hardiness of their birds and the designs of their farms would prevent their animals from becoming infected.
Game cocks suspected
This round of the disease was first detected on Oct. 1 in a backyard flock in Compton. Officials said fighting cocks bred for show were kept there. Kuney said officials have since found the disease in pigeons that people keep as pets.
Officials are not sure how the virus traveled around Southern California, but it easily spreads as it gets on people's shoes and clothes and on their vehicles, especially tires. A Web site maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that smuggled birds, such as Amazon parrots, pose a "great risk" of bringing the disease into the United States. Those parrots may shed the virus for more than 400 days without showing any symptoms.
Heeding a call for "bio-security," farms in San Diego County have been disinfecting cars and trucks as they enter and leave. Veterinarian Mahoney said that people who must visit farms should be at only one poultry ranch a day.
Within flocks, Exotic Newcastle Disease spreads quickly in mucus and feces, specialists say. If a few birds in a commercial flock get it, every bird will probably need to be destroyed. Though some birds can carry it a long time without showing the symptoms ---- including sneezing, gasping for breath, runny nose, coughing, muscle tremor and drooping wings ---- Newcastle is "usually fatal" to all birds that are exposed to it, Mahoney said.
The federal agriculture department has called Exotic Newcastle a disease "so virulent" that many birds die without showing any clinical signs. It pegs the death rate at "almost 100 percent" in unvaccinated poultry flocks.
UC's Kuney said the vaccine does not stop the disease, but only slows its growth. He said there's no treatment and no cure for the disease.
Federal agriculture officials say the Newcastle virus can survive several weeks in warm, humid environments and live "indefinitely" in frozen material. Dehydration and exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can destroy it.
According to the San Diego County veterinarian, the presence of Newcastle is detected in what's called a "hemoglutination" test in the laboratory. Embryonic chicken eggs are inoculated with a substance drawn from swabs of different organs from the suspect fowl.
After two or three days, fluid is extracted from the inside membranes of the eggs. The clotting together of red blood cells signals that Newcastle disease may be the culprit. The U.S. Agriculture Department's veterinary diagnostics lab in Ames, Iowa, is then asked to confirm.
Ramona breeder closes shop
At Myers Menagerie of Birds in Ramona, Joyce Myers has closed up shop, a self-imposed quarantine. She says that allowing no one in her shop gives her birds a measure of protection.
Myers, who opened her business in 1995, has also decided to sell no birds until the Newcastle scare ends. She said she would face being shut down by authorities if she sold a bird that later became contaminated.
"Any of my customers that have called, I just apologize," Myers said Friday. "I also tell them to be very cautious around any birds. I have to close my doors down. It could very well break me. However, for the safety of my birds and for my future business, I have to. It's hurting us, but I want to protect my flock and my ranch and my reputation."
Contact Bruce Kauffman at (760) 761-4410 or bkauffman@nctimes.net.
Among the precautions owners of pet birds can