NEWCASTLE DISEASE, GAME FOWL, POULTRY - USA (CA) (08)
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: 11 Feb 2003
From: James Alexander <James.Alexander@tdh.state.tx.us>

[From ProMED-mail posting "Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA 
(CA) (07) 20030210.0361:]

"Dr. Allen's letter highlights the need for other measures, such as 
education of the animal owners, or perhaps trainers and fighters."

and

"Education initiatives that target non-commercial animal owners 
represent a significant need nationwide. This is especially important 
in  the context of bioterrorism, agricultural security, and emergency 
preparedness (Agricultural Security and Emergency Preparedness)"


The above statements reminded me of an incident during an effort to 
eradicate Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) from Texas in the 
mid-1980s while I was with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). 
A game bird owner/fighter sent some birds to the poultry lab due to 
illness and death.  When ILT was diagnosed, TAHC destroyed the 
remaining birds, eliminating the man's line of game bird genetics and 
an important source of income.  The gist of his final comment was 
that he would never make the same mistake again.

Prior to this incident, some commercial egg and broiler producers in 
that part of the state were experiencing sporadic outbreaks of ILT, 
apparently due to a modified live vaccine strain of the virus.  It is 
possible that some of the workers from these farms attended 
cockfights and may have even raised the birds.  In addition, 
biosecurity was lax.  The potential for the disease to spread from 
the commercial flocks to the fighting birds and then to other 
commercial farms was great.

Education is important and will most likely increase the odds of a 
disease incident being reported by some producers with small 
herds/flocks.  However, I believe, based on this and other 
experiences, that certain segments of the population, especially 
those engaged in an industry that is dependent on an illegal 
activity, such as cockfighting, will not comply with disease 
reporting because the people do not perceive it to be in their 
self-interest.  Only when it enters the commercial portion of a given 
industry will the disease be detected by the regulatory agencies.

Because of this, biosecurity and disease surveillance are indispensable.

This is a personal observation, not to be construed as the view of 
the Texas Department of Health.

--
James L. Alexander, DVM, MPVM., Dipl. ACVPM
Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian
Texas Department of Health
Public Health Region 1
Canyon, TX  79016-0968
<james.alexander@tdh.state.tx.us>

[Biosecurity is an issue in all animal operations. As much as we want 
to protect our animal industry and economy associated with that 
industry, it is important to be sensitive as much as possible to the 
owner. Therefore, education is the key to communication for 
surveillance, control, and biosecurity. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA) (07) 20030210.0361
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (06) 20030209.0353
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (AZ): OIE      20030208.0337
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (west)      20030206.0318
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA,NV) (02) 20030204.0304
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/lm
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