NEWCASTLE DISEASE, GAME FOWL, POULTRY - USA (WEST) (04)
**************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org/>
ProMED-mail, a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org/>


Date: 2 Mar 2003
From: Thomas E. Walton <thomas.e.walton@usda.gov>
Source: Official APHIS press release [edited]


Subject: Emergency Management Warning 50: Exotic Newcastle Disease 
Confirmed in the United States

All information in the following Notice marked with an asterisk (*) 
identifies changes since the last Notice was sent out.

Exotic Newcastle disease (END) was confirmed on 1 Oct 2002, in the State of 
California, and has now spread beyond backyard flocks to affect 17 
commercial operations in California.  On 16 Jan 2003, END was also 
confirmed in a backyard flock in the State of Nevada.  A backyard flock was 
confirmed with END on 4 Feb 2003, in the State of Arizona.  Clinical signs 
in infected birds include respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal 
signs.  Mortality is up to 90 percent of exposed birds.  Investigations are 
on-going and all figures are pending final validation.

Veterinary Services is exploring all options to send Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel, other federal government 
personnel, and is working with the States to consider additional resources 
to meet the labor demands.  APHIS has developed a plan for nation END 
surveillance.  This plan will enhance the already extensive surveillance 
underway.

* Situation Update (as of 5:00 p.m. PST, 27 Feb 2003)

Arizona / California / Nevada / Grand Total
* Number of premises positive
1 (no change from 2/27) / * 721 (up 12 from 2/27) / 9 (no change from 2/27) 
/ * 731 (up 12 from 2/27)
* Number of contact premises
3 (no change from 2/27) / * 1431 (up 131 from 2/27) / 126 (no change from 
2/27) / * 1560 (up 131 from 2/27)

Number of premises depopulated: 4 / * 1890 / 135 / * 2029
Premises waiting to be depopulated:  0 / * 262 / 0 / * 262
Birds depopulated to date: 239 / * 2 564 040 / 2560 / * 2 566 839

Counties with positive flocks: La Paz,  Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San 
Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura Clark

* Operational Update

Effective 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.

Effective 10 Feb 2003, APHIS imposed a federal quarantine that regulates 
the interstate movement of all species of birds and poultry products from 
all of La Paz and Yuma Counties and a portion of Mohave County, AZ.

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

Currently there are 17 commercial flocks in the State of California 
affected by END.  The breakdown of the commercial premises involved is as 
follows:  4 premises in Riverside County (3 infected and 1 contact), 5 
counties in San Diego County (5 infected), and 8 premises in San Bernardino 
County (8 infected).

* Of the 2291 premises designated for depopulation, 88.6 percent have been 
completed.

* The California Department of Fish and Game is in the process of providing 
educational material about END to State hunting license vendors for 
distribution in their establishments.  The Department is also hosting a 
Turkey Hunting Expo this weekend and plans to distribute information about 
the disease to attendees.  Additionally, on 8 Mar 2003, the officials from 
the Department will be distributing END information to participants 
attending a wildlife rehabilitation seminar in Santa Barbara. A 
representative from the Department serves as an Agency Representative to 
Area Command.

The Central Valley Incident Command Post in Modesto, CA, is staffed and 
working cooperatively with county officials to implement efficient 
surveillance measures throughout the Central Valley.

The Agriculture Multi-Agency Coordination (AgMAC) Group met on 26 Feb 2003, 
to discuss the END situation, resource availability, State personnel 
legislation, and future personnel needs.  The AgMAC is scheduled to have a 
follow-up meeting 5 Mar 2003, and will meet weekly to address issues as 
they emerge.

3 Veterinarians from the Mexican State of Baja California arrived for duty 
with the Task Force.  The veterinarians are part of an 8-member volunteer 
unit, ad they will be stationed at the Inland Desert Incident Command Post 
(ICP).

An expert panel on poultry diseases visited the Inland Desert ICP, the 
South Coast ICP, and the San Bernardino laboratory locations to discuss 
testing, permitting, risk assessment, and industry relationships.  Members 
of the group include representatives from the Agriculture Research Service, 
Penn State University, Ohio State University, and the University of 
California at Davis.

Outreach Activities

An interview was taped with Dr. Collazo-Mattei to air in March on the Clark 
County, NV public access channel.

Public service announcements were recorded in both English and Spanish to 
air on local radio stations in Nevada.

Information was electronically mailed to gamefowl breeders in the United 
States.

An END handout was mailed to 350 veterinarians in Nevada.

A full page public service announcement was placed in the Nevada 
Spanish-language weekly newspaper, and El Mundo.

Surveillance operations have contacted area feed stores, pet stores, and 
post offices to distribute information materials in the State of Nevada.

A community meeting was held at Von Tobel Middle School (just outside the 
containment area in Nevada).  A PowerPoint program was presented followed 
by a brief question and answer period.  There were 35 community members in 
attendance.

A weekly media update was held at the staging area in Nevada to brief the 
press about a new agreement for pet stores to begin selling birds under 
special circumstances.

An informational booth at the western States Veterinary Associations Annual 
Conference was staffed to distribute information and recruit veterinarians 
to assist in the current outbreak.  The conference was held at the Mandaley 
Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

On 16 Feb 2003, informational materials were distributed at a Wal-Mart 
store in Nevada adjacent to the 3K buffer zone and a park within the 3K 
buffer zone.

On 15 Feb 2003, a meeting was held with the Silver State pigeon racing 
association located within the 3K buffer zone in Nevada.  A short 
presentation was followed by questions and answers.

On 9 Feb 2003, a presentation was given to the Las Vegas Bird Club 
explaining the current outbreak of END and its impact on the transportation 
and health of exotic birds.

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 the State of Arizona's END website. 
<http://agriculture.state.az.us/newcastle.htm>

Please forward this information to your federal, State, and industry 
counterparts as necessary.

If you have any questions about this situation, please feel free to call 
USDA, APHIS, VS, Emergency Programs at 800-940-6524, 301-734-8073, or 
e-mail at EMOC@APHIS.USDA.GOV.

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

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

[see also:
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (west)(03) 20030222.0463
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (west)(02) 20030211.0372
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (west)      20030206.0318
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty - USA(CA)(09): corr 20030221.0454
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty - USA (CA) (09) 20030219.0434
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA) (08) 20030211.0373
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA) (07) 20030210.0361
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (06) 20030209.0353
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (05) 20030117.0145
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)(04) 20030116.0129
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)(03) 20030108.0060
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (02) 20030104.0021
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)      20030103.0014
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA,NV) (02) 20030204.0304
Newcastle disease, game fowl, poultry - USA (CA, NV)      20030127.0246
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) (10) 20021216.6077
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (09) 20021208.6014
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (08) 20021203.5958
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (07) 20021125.5893
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (06) 20021112.5780
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (05) 20021101.5689
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (04) 20021026.5646
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (03) 20021019.5603
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (02) 20021012.5533
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA): OIE      20021004.5468]
.....................tg/pg/mpp


*##########################################################*
ProMED-mail makes every effort to  verify  the reports  that
are  posted,  but  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of  the
information,   and  of  any  statements  or  opinions  based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by  ProMED-mail.   ISID
and  its  associated  service  providers  shall not be  held
responsible for errors or omissions or  held liable for  any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon  posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org/>.
Send  all  items  for   posting  to:   promed@promedmail.org
(NOT to  an  individual moderator).  If you do not give your
full name and  affiliation, it  may  not  be  posted.   Send
commands  to  subscribe/unsubscribe,   get  archives,  help,
etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org.    For assistance  from a
human  being  send  mail  to:   owner-promed@promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################