DISCLAIMER: PLEASE note! This is a legitimate email we personally received. We have deleted information regarding the author so as not to flood him with inquiries. They are all from the Department of Animal Science, University of California. The UC Poultry Website is http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu.avian/

To: UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 3:42 PM
Subject: END Update

The number of commercial premises infected to date is 22 with another currently suspect. 20 of these have been depopulated. Small flock premises infected now numbers 2286 and they are about 95% depopulated. About 3.2 million commercial poultry and about 135,000 poultry on small premises have been euthanized. The Task force attitude seems to be cautious optimism.

A Central California incident Command has been established with an office in Modesto. The Task force has recently set up two advisory committees to address concerns of game chicken owners and pet bird owners. It is hoped that this may lead to better communication.

It is my hope that all of you will consider the difficulty of an effort of this magnitude. No matter how good government planning is situations are constantly changing. Remember that this area has about 15 million people and over 15 million birds. There will continue to be problems but it is hoped that these will decline as the Task Force gains experience.

I would like to thank all of you who are trying to protect your birds and practice good biosecurity.

All bird owners are requested to monitor their birds closely and report any unusual health problems to the Task Force at 800-491-1899. There is no charge for laboratory work when END is suspected. When birds must be depopulated the owners are fairly compensated based on the value of the birds. Bird owners are encouraged to protect the health of their birds by avoiding unnecessary contact with other birds.

Updates are available on-line
at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Newcastle_info.htm

This is a useful USDA site for END information:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/enc/exoticnc.html

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To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 5:40 PM
Subject: END Update

Today I have a report of three new suspect cases of END in commercial poultry. These have yet to be confirmed by virus isolation. They are all inside the quarantine area.

The Western Poultry Disease Conference was held on Sun. through Tue. in Sacramento. The technical discussions on END were extensive and were succeeded by a special informal discussion on vaccination for Newcastle disease. Representatives were present from several countries that have had to deal with END outbreaks. They all expressed the opinion that vaccination can be a useful tool in reducing the spread of END even though it does not provide 100% protection from infection. We have long recommended vaccination to our commercial poultry producers and small poultry flocks including revaccination when a Newcastle problem is present in their location. If you consider vaccination of pet birds we recommend that you consult a veterinarian that has experience with the species you are raising.

All bird owners are requested to monitor their birds closely and report any unusual health problems to the Task Force at 800-491-1899. There is no charge for laboratory work when END is suspected. When birds must be depopulated the owners are fairly compensated based on the value of the birds. Bird owners are encouraged to protect the health of their birds by avoiding unnecessary contact with other birds.

Updates are available on-line
at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Newcastle_info.htm

This is a useful USDA site for END information:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/enc/exoticnc.html

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To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 11:07 AM
Subject: Littlerock Depopulation

My investigation of this incident reveals that the birds in question were not confined and were located in an area with a high incidence of END. To be eligible for the Task Force "Pet and Exotic Bird Policy" the birds must be confined and not just when the depopulation crew arrives. We regret the need for loss of pets but the task force crew did operate within appropriate guidelines!!!!

UC Poultry Website: http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/avian/

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To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 1:12 PM
Subject: END Update

I was not able to confirm this story except from the papers web site. It appears to be a correct copy of what was published.

San Bernardino Sun, CA and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, CA

Officials warn of Newcastle con artists

By NAOMI KRESGE, Staff Writer

Con artists have turned exotic Newcastle disease into a money-making enterprise, according to the state task force charged with eradicating the virus.

A single report came out of San Bernardino County last week of two men offering to clean a property infected with the deadly poultry disease for a price.

The birds on the property had already been killed.

The men claimed they would charge less for the cleaning than the state task force, according to officials but the task force conducts its own disinfecting, at no cost to bird owners.

"It's like anything else involving human emotion there are going to be people that will take advantage,' task force spokesman Adrian Woodfork said.

The men were driving a dark-colored pickup truck, but Woodfork declined to provide a more detailed description.

Some bird owners have taken the state to task for what they call poor communication with pet owners, and have argued that the force takes too long to return to clean premises where birds have been killed.

"They've created a cottage industry here for the illegal,' said Sue Swallow of Norco, who is critical of the task force. She said it has taken up to a month to disinfect some properties.

"How can they not do that and then go kill somebody's pet?' she asked. "The reason the virus is spreading is because of gross negligence of the task force.'

"In some cases, it's been reported [disinfection] has taken longer than others,' Woodfork said. "They've hired a lot more people, so the task force won't be taking long at all.'

Bird owners should ask for identification from anyone claiming to be with the task force, Woodfork said. Task force badges have a telephone line on the back at which personnel identification can be confirmed.

Bird owners can call the task force hotline at (800) 491-1899 to report anyone masquerading as a task force representative, Woodfork said.

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To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 5:34 PM
Subject: END Update

Perhaps a little good news. It has been over 10 days since the last commercial flock broke with END.

I was distressed to hear about a difficult depopulation of pet birds in the Little Rock area. I will bring this situation to the attention of the Task Force Administration. Loss of pets is always a sad occurrence. I hope that we can prevent more of these situations in he future.

All bird owners are requested to monitor their birds closely and report any unusual health problems to the Task Force at 800-491-1899. There is no charge for laboratory work when END is suspected. When birds must be depopulated the owners are fairly compensated based on the value of the birds. Bird owners are encouraged to protect the health of their birds by avoiding unnecessary contact with other birds.

Updates are available on-line
at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Newcastle_info.htm

This is a useful USDA site for END information:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/enc/exoticnc.html

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