Here are some of the latest updates on the Newcastle Disease outbreak in California. As we grow nearer to AgFest 2020, the board will make a determination on the status of the poultry show for 2020 based on the mandates/recommendations from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
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September 6, 2019
BIRD MOVEMENT FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VIRULENT NEWCASTLE DISEASE QUARANTINE AREA LED TO RECENT SAN DIEGO COUNTY DETECTION
Message to Bird Owners in Quarantined Areas: Do Not Move Your Birds
Statement from California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
An ongoing investigation has determined that infected birds moved from within the virulent Newcastle disease (VND) quarantine area in Riverside County led to the recent detection of the disease in the Ramona-area of San Diego County. This bird movement occurred in violation of the quarantine. It is important to note that any bird movement within a quarantined area is prohibited by law and violators are subject to fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, or up to $25,000 if a violator is proven to have moved the virus.
While we continue our surveillance and testing in the Ramona-area, we are hopeful that the rapid actions of responsible poultry owners and the CDFA/USDA VND response team have effectively contained the virus to a small area. Bird owners under quarantine are not permitted to move their birds, because exposed birds may appear healthy but could be in the early stages of infection and highly contagious to other birds. We are counting on community cooperation to help us stop the spread of VND and eradicate the disease.
It is critically important that bird owners under quarantine understand that moving birds, especially those that carry and shed the virus, put others at significant risk.
Mandatory euthanasia of infected and exposed poultry in connection with this incident has occurred at properties in San Diego and Riverside counties. The VND response team is conducting mandatory testing in the immediate areas surrounding the new cases, as well as conducting ongoing surveillance and testing within the quarantined areas in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
Detections of VND have decreased greatly over the last few months as response teams continue their work to detect any small pockets of infection, stop the spread of the virus, and eradicate the disease.
Bird owners in Southern California are urged to remain aware of VND signs, practice good biosecurity, and report any sick birds immediately to the Sick Bird Hotline 866-922-2473.
More information about VND and biosecurity guidelines to keep birds healthy are available on the CDFA virulent Newcastle disease web and Facebook pages. cdfa.ca.gov/go/VND
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August 31, 2019
Virulent Newcastle Disease Update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
There was a new detection of virulent Newcastle disease (VND) on August 30 at a property in central San Diego County. This is the first detection of VND in San Diego County since this incident began in May 2018. This case was identified when a private veterinarian submitted dead birds to the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System.
VND response team members from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working through the holiday weekend to establish control measures including restriction of bird movement, mandatory euthanasia of infected and exposed birds, and surveillance testing near the property where infection was detected. We are moving quickly to investigate the origin of disease as well as any movement of birds or equipment that could carry infection.
Detections of VND have decreased greatly over the last few months. Our priority remains to stop the spread of the virus and eradicate the disease. We have made significant progress toward this goal by identifying and clearing remaining pockets of disease, but this case reminds all bird owners in Southern California to remain aware of VND signs, practice good biosecurity, stop illegal movement of birds from property to property, and report any sick birds immediately to the Sick Bird Hotline, 866-922-2473. More information about VND, including biosecurity guidelines to keep birds healthy, is available on the CDFA virulent Newcastle disease web page.
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August 15, 2019
Virulent Newcastle Disease Update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones
Ongoing surveillance and testing in the virulent Newcastle disease (VND) incident in Southern California has resulted in the detection of a new case on August 14 at a retail feed store in western San Bernardino County.
This is the first detection of VND since June 4. Staff members from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) discovered the infected birds during a routine biosecurity check. Infected and exposed birds have been euthanized and the store has been temporarily closed while an investigation is under way.
We are moving quickly to determine the origin of disease and working with the store to identify any customers who may have purchased infected birds and products like feed, equipment, or anything else that could carry infection. Our priority is to stop the spread of the virus and eradicate the disease, and while we’ve made significant progress, this case is instructive for all bird owners in Southern California to remain aware of VND signs, practice good biosecurity, don’t move birds, and report any sick birds immediately to the Sick Bird Hotline 866-922-2473.
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The regional quarantine is still in effect (see map here). For a list of virulent Newcastle disease cases since the outbreak began in May 2018, visit the USDA VND website.
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Attention: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not allowing shipments of live birds (all) or hatching/embryonated eggs into or out of zip codes 90000-93599 in California. For more information: https://postalpro.usps.com/node/6643
