 |
| Credit USDA |
#13,380
Just over a month ago, in APHIS: USDA Confirms Virulent Newcastle Disease In Backyard Flock - California, we looked at the first reported outbreak of Newcastle disease in poultry in the United States in 15 years.
The infected birds have all been backyard exhibition poultry, and so far no commercial poultry operations have been affected.While posing only a minor threat to human health - generally only causing mild flu-like symptoms and/or conjunctivitis - Virulent Newcastle Disease can be up to 100% fatal in poultry, and remains a serious threat to poultry interests world wide.
An outbreak in 1971 that began in Southern California led to the culling of 12 million birds and a loss of tens of millions of dollars while the last outbreak in 2003 led to the depopulation of 3.16 million birds at a cost of $161 million (cite)Two weeks ago, in our last update (see USDA: APHIS Update On Newcastle Disease Outbreak in California) we saw the total number of outbreaks had risen to 13, mostly in the San Bernardino region of Southern California.
Since then, California's Department of Food and Agriculture has announced 5 more outbreaks, all in San Bernardino county. They are:
June 21, 2018: Additional Cases of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in San Bernardino County
Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to virulent Newcastle disease (VND), and have reported sick birds. Samples from the flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings. Two additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in San Bernardino County, CA have been confirmed. For a list of cases visit the USDA website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) want to remind bird owners about the need for biosecurity to help protect their birds from VND and other infectious diseases. These include simple steps like washing hands and scrubbing boots before and after entering a poultry area; cleaning and disinfecting tires and equipment before moving them off the property; and isolating any birds returning from shows for 30 days before placing them with the rest of the flock. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths through California's Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-BIRD (2473).
-------
June 20, 2018: Additional Case of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in San Bernardino County
Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to virulent Newcastle disease (VND), and have reported sick birds. Samples from the flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings. One additional case of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in San Bernardino County, CA has been confirmed. For a list of cases visit the USDA website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd
-------
June 15, 2018: Additional Case of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in San Bernardino County
Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to virulent Newcastle disease (VND), and have reported sick birds. Samples from the flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings. One additional case of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in San Bernardino County, CA has been confirmed. For a list of cases visit the USDA website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd
-------
June 14, 2018: Additional Case of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in San Bernardino County
Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to virulent Newcastle disease (VND), and have reported sick birds. Samples from the flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings. One additional case of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in San Bernardino County, CA has been confirmed. For a list of cases visit the USDA website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian-influenza-disease/vnd
The latest update from USDA/APHIS website follows:
Virulent Newcastle Disease
Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND), formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry. The disease is so virulent that many birds and poultry die without showing any clinical signs.
vND is not a food safety concern. No human cases of Newcastle disease have ever occurred from eating poultry products. Properly cooked poultry products are safe to eat. In very rare instances people working directly with sick birds can become infected with mild symptoms.
vND has not been found in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2003.
Since May 18, USDA has confirmed several cases of vND in backyard birds in California:
