|
For Immediate Release
February 10,
2003
(Des Moines, IA) Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge today announced
that a revised order has been issued for the purpose of taking immediate
action to protect the health of Iowa’s poultry industry.
The
revised order modifying importation requirements of avian species/products
is effective immediately.
The new order states that no avian
species or avian products originating from California, Nevada and Arizona,
areas considered to be endemic for Exotic Newcastle Disease, will be
allowed entry into Iowa.
The original order, issued January 22,
2003, included only the states of California and Nevada. Since the
original order was issued, a flock of chickens in Arizona was confirmed
positive for Exotic Newcastle Disease.
The only exceptions to this
order will be by approval of State Veterinarian Dr. John Schiltz, based
upon epidemiological evaluation and risk determination.
Exotic
Newcastle Disease (END) is a highly contagious and often fatal poultry
disease which was first confirmed in Southern California and spread from
backyard poultry to commercial facilities. The disease has cost California
millions of dollars and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
officials , along with veterinarians recruited from around the country,
have been in California fighting the disease with a full-scale eradication
program. All of southern California is under quarantine and Governor Gray
Davis has declared a state of emergency.
continued…
“We must be
pro-active and protect Iowa’s poultry industry. Iowa has a thriving
poultry industry and is number one in the nation in egg production. This
order will ensure that poultry and poultry products from those states
which have Exotic Newcastle Disease will not be allowed to enter Iowa,”
Secretary Judge stated.
Dr. John Schiltz, State Veterinarian
commented, “Symptoms of the poultry disease include sudden death, drop in
egg production, paralysis and swelling in the eye area. There is no
effective cure for this disease. The only way to eradicate Exotic
Newcastle Disease is by strict surveillance, quarantine and depopulation
efforts, which is why it is very important to implement this order to
protect Iowa’s poultry industry.”
Secretary Judge and Dr. Schiltz
are asking Iowa’s poultry producers to remain on alert and step up their
bio-security measures.
-30- |
