To: UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 11:54 AM
Subject: END Update
The current plan of the Task Force is to release a large area of the quarantine in about a week. This will include all of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Imperial, Orange and San Diego Counties and the eastern portion of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. This will leave essentially the area that was and still is under state quarantine. Something could still happen to stop this so don't assume that it is a sure thing!!
If things go well the rest of the quarantine may be released in another 30 to 60 days. This does not mean that all of the END risk is gone. Since the source of the original virus introduction is unknown we must assume that it could occur again at any time. We encourage all bird breeders to maintain good biosecurity to protect their birds from this and other pathogens. There will be follow up efforts by USDA, CDFA and UC Cooperative Extension to encourage and educate bird owners and breeders about disease control. With the present state budget situation this is only possible due to the support of our USDA partners.
There has been considerable confusion about premise quarantines in other areas of California (outside the quarantine area). There have been numerous premise quarantines put in place when CDFA gets a report of unusual mortality in birds they investigate and if samples are taken to assure that END is not the cause a temporary quarantine is placed until the results of the lab work come back. Usually the clinical symptoms do not suggest that END is likely but this is done as a precaution. People often jump to the conclusion that this means that END is present and if it is not publicized then the Task Force is "covering it up". They have no interest in covering END breaks up. It is not publicized to protect the owner's privacy and to prevent people from jumping to unwarranted conclusions. The latter doesn't always work.
Please continue to protect your birds from disease introduction.
Ralph Ernst, Poultry Specialist
Department of Animal Science
University of California
Davis CA 95616
E-mail: raernst@ucdavis.edu
UC Poultry Website: http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/avian/
To: UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 5:10 PM
Subject: END Update
Things have been very quiet. The task force is aggressively testing small flocks at certain areas in the hope of releasing areas from quarantine in the future. They announce this in advance through the media and ask for volunteers. The last infected premises was found on May 31st.
The Task force has appointed several advisory committees. I have been participating in the one addressing pet bird concerns. This has been a positive experience and I think that progress has been made that will help when a disease control effort of this type is required again. I had hoped that we would have an information release approved by now but it has taken longer than I thought. If it becomes available I will send it on to this list.
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
Department of Animal Science
University of California
Davis CA 95616
UC Poultry Website: http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/avian/
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