NEWCASTLE DISEASE, GAME FOWL, POULTRY - USA (CA, NV) (02)
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Date: 3 Feb 2003
From: Thomas E Walton <Thomas.e.walton@usda.gov>
Source: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) official release 
[edited]


Emergency Management Warning 33: exotic Newcastle disease confirmed in the 
United States
-------------------------------
Exotic Newcastle disease (END) was confirmed on 1 Oct 2002, in California, 
and has now spread beyond backyard flocks to affect 6 commercial operations 
in California. On 16 Jan 2003, END was also confirmed in a backyard flock 
in Nevada. Infected birds exhibit respiratory, nervous, and 
gastrointestinal signs.

Up to 90 per cent of exposed birds die. Investigations are on-going and all 
figures are pending final validation. Veterinary Services is working 
rapidly to expand staff on the task force in the states of California and 
Nevada and is exploring all options to send APHIS personnel, other federal 
government personnel, and is working with the states to consider additional 
resources to meet the labor demands. APHIS is continuing to develop a plan 
for national END surveillance. This plan will enhance the already extensive 
surveillance underway in California and Nevada.

Nevada Situation (as of 5:00 pm PST, 2 Feb 2003)
END has been confirmed in a backyard flock in Las Vegas, NV. Federal and 
State quarantines have been established for all of Clark County and a 
portion of Nye County, NV. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also 
declared an extraordinary emergency. APHIS and the state of Nevada have 
begun surveillance efforts of the backyard bird population and have 
established a task force in Nevada.

Number of premises positive: 7 (no change from 1/31 report)
Number of contact premises: 84 (up 5 from 1/31 report)
Number of premises released: 0 (no change from 1/30 report)
Number of premises depopulated: 88
Premises waiting to be depopulated: 3
Birds depopulated to date: 1637
Counties with positive flocks: Clark

California Situation (as of 5:00 pm PST, 2 Feb 2003)
Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and 
APHIS continue to work closely on efforts to control the END outbreak in 
southern California. USDA has instituted a federal quarantine zone that 
serves as a buffer around the END affected area in southern California. The 
department has also declared an extraordinary emergency to provide 
additional resources and authorities to the eradication campaign for END in 
southern California.

Number of premises positive: 473 (up 24 from 1/31 report)
Number of contact premises: 1024 (up 37 from 1/31 report)
Number of premises released: 28 (no change from 1/31 report)
Number of premises depopulated: 1347
Premises waiting to be depopulated: 178
Birds depopulated to date: 1 790 135
Counties with positive flocks: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San 
Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura

Operational Update
Of the 91 premises in Nevada designated for depopulation, 96.7 per cent 
have been completed.
Of the 1525 premises in California designated for depopulation, 88.3 per 
cent have been completed.

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

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

USDA has declared an extraordinary emergency for the States of California 
and Nevada. These declarations allow USDA to apply federal authority within 
California and Nevada.

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

Veterinary officials from Mexico are currently observing Task Force 
surveillance, depopulation, and cleaning and disinfection operations in 
California and Nevada.

Outreach Activities
Tribal Nations in the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada have been 
contacted by APHIS representatives and have been updated on the END 
situation. Continued outreach information is being supplied on a continuous 
basis.

Task force information personnel prepared and distributed PowerPoint 
presentations and program documents to the Las Vegas Incident Command Post. 
Information personnel also reviewed and drafted responses for 2 letters 
from the public regarding Task force activities.

Task force public information personnel are communicating daily on their 
surveillance, depopulation, and cleaning and disinfection operations to all 
affected city managers in southern California. They field about 450 calls 
per week from the public, a 20-fold increase from the number of calls from 
early October 2002. Presently, the public information staff have 9 public 
meetings scheduled between now and 10 Mar 2003, not including meetings 
scheduled with bird clubs and other industry associations.

Task force public information personnel are designing a 
door-hanger/information envelope for use by field crews at individual 
residences in affected areas. The task force has requested the 
establishment of a contract with a public relations firm for radio, direct 
mailing, print advertisement, and other specific minority outreach 
activities. The task force's public information staff, in cooperation with 
Legislative and Public Affairs in Riverdale, MD, is preparing 2 new 
documents for distribution: The revised END brochure (which has been 
updated to include new information and photographs) and the END pest alert 
fact sheet. Delivery is anticipated within the next 3 weeks.

Each day, the task force information staff provide media updates to about 
35 media outlets in California. In Area Command alone, the public 
information personnel handle an average of 50 media calls per week.

The following link is to the State of California's END website.
<http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Newcastle_info.htm>
The following link is to the State of Nevada's END website.
<http://www.agri.state.nv.us/END.htm>
The following link is to APHIS' END website.
<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/enc/exoticnc.html>

If you have any questions about this situation, please email 
<EMOC@APHIS.USDA.GOV>.

-- 
Thomas E Walton
<thomas.e.walton@usda.gov>

[see also:
Newcastle disease, poultry - USA (AZ): suspected       20030202.0289
Newcastle disease, game fowl, poultry - USA: control   20030129.0260
Newcastle disease, U.S. poultry ban extended - Mexico  20030127.0247
Newcastle disease, game fowl, poultry - USA (CA, NV)   20030127.0246
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (NV) (02)          20030126.0237
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (05) 20030117.0145
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (NV)               20030117.0138
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)      20030103.0014
2002
---
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)      20021228.6147
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (11)          20021221.6104
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (02)          20021012.5533
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (TX): warning      20021006.5482
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA): OIE          20021004.5468]

.......................tg/pg/sh

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