UC END Releases

December, 2002

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/
UC END Releases - Main Page
To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2002 2:28 PM
Subject: END Update

The situation with back-yard poultry is about the same. That is overshadowed by problems in commercial flocks that many of you have read about in the newspapers. The situation is very serious due to the huge volumes of contaminated birds and products that must be disposed of safely. One statement I would like to clear up is that the State of California is paying for all of this. The funds for the END control effort are from USDA except for the considerable input of time from State, County, University and industry employees. The effort is presently conducted under state authority. Please maintain close monitoring of your birds for any unusual symptoms.

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 not an official post of the Task force!!


To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 4:21 PM
Subject: END Update

END Update: Following the 3 p.m. conference call with Task Force on 12/20/02

END positive chickens continue to be found in the quarantine area with active disease. Dr. Breitmeyer, State Veterinarian, reported that the situation appears to be more dangerous than at any time during the current outbreak due to the large number of virus positive flocks found recently. The poultry on 504 premises have now been depopulated and 3651 (almost double the number last week) premises are under quarantine. The depopulated birds have been mostly game fowl, pet chickens and other backyard fowl. Today the first
suspect case (not yet confirmed) has been found in a commercial egg production flock.

The CDFA, Animal Health Branch is working on new plans to try to bring this disease under control. Please continue to take precautions to protect your birds from infection! So far, this has not been found in pet birds except for a few that were associated with positive chickens. For the benefit of our birds and those of you who raise them, let's keep it that way. If this disease continues to spread it may be necessary to impose greater restriction on bird movement and bird events within the quarantine area.

Next week the Task force will be operating on a restricted schedule. There will not be another conference call until Jan. 7th. I don't know now when this message line will be activated again but we will try to pass on information if any major changes occur.

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 not an official post of the Task force!!


To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 5:03 PM
Subject: END Update

This report summarizes the best information I have available at this time. This is not an official report from the END Task Force!

The Exotic Newcastle situation continues to be serious. Since my last posting 923 more premises have been placed under quarantine. Some of the rules regarding bird shows, bird Marts and swap meets may need to be revised within the quarantine area. In addition commercial poultry to be shipped out of the quarantine may need to be checked by a veterinarian within a few hours of shipment. Currently they are monitored continuously for symptoms and mortality so this would be an additional step.

The most common question I hear is why aren't they giving us more information? It appears to me that they have a very large bear by the tail. Until the bear is slowed down or restrained they really don't have time to discuss long range plans or things like how to best communicate with the public. There are thousands of unanswered questions about this virus that no one has the time or resources to deal with at this time. If this virus is not controlled it poses a serious threat to all of our avian populations, local and international trade and need of many of you to continue to do business.

My continued thanks to the hard working crew who are fighting this problem for all of us.

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

My thanks to all of you who have shared information and your questions.


To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 4:38 PM
Subject: END Update

END Update: Following the 3 p.m. conference call with Task Force on 12/6/02

END positive chickens continue to be found in the quarantine area with active disease. Dr. Breitmeyer, State Veterinarian, reported that the situation appears to be more dangerous than at any time during the current outbreak due to the large number of virus positive flocks found recently. The poultry on 285 premises (up 40 since Tuesday) have now been depopulated and 1569 premises (up 215) are under quarantine. The depopulated birds are mostly game fowl, pet chickens and other backyard fowl. There are now over 440 people working in the Task Force.
The CDFA, Animal Health Branch is working on new plans to try to bring this disease under control. Please continue to take precautions to protect your birds from infection! So far, this has not been found in pet birds except for a few that were associated with positive chickens. For the benefit of our birds and those of you who raise them, let's keep it that way. Dr. Whiteford informed me that the Task force is not restricting movement of pet or exotic birds at this time and hopes that they will be able to continue this policy.

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.

This disease situation has resulted in a ban on shipment of hatching eggs or chicks into Europe. This situation is having a severe financial impact on U.S. poultry breeding companies. While exact losses are not available it has to be in the millions.

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

My thanks to all of you who have shared information.


To: "UC List for Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) Releases"
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 5:01 PM
Subject: END Update

END Update:

END positive chickens continue to be found in the quarantine area with active disease. The poultry on 245 premises (up 43) have now been euthanized and 1354 premises (up 197) are under quarantine. These are mostly game fowl, pet chickens and other backyard fowl. There are now over 400 people working in the Task Force.

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.

This disease situation has resulted in a ban on shipment of hatching eggs or chicks into Europe. This situation is having a severe financial impact on U.S. poultry breeding companies. While exact losses are not available it has to be in the millions.

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

UC END Releases - Main Page


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