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| Credit USDA |
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Since our last update on June 22nd (see California Reports Additional Outbreaks Of Virulent Newcastle Disease In Poultry), California's Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has reported 10 more outbreaks of Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) in San Bernardino County.
Since May 17th, Southern California has reported 28 outbreaks of Virulent Newcastle Disease in backyard exhibition poultry, 27 of which have come from San Bernardino County. One case hailed from Los Angeles.The CDFA describes Virulent Newcastle Disease as:
Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND)
Virulent Newcastle disease (VND), formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease, is a serious, highly contagious viral disease that can affect poultry and other birds.
In rare cases, humans that have exposure to infected birds may get eye inflammation or mild fever-like symptoms. These signs generally resolve without treatment, however, medical care should be sought if symptoms persist. Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment.
Virulent Newcastle disease 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.
While not a major human health concern, past outbreaks affecting commercial poultry have have proved economically devastating to the poultry industry.
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).The 2018 outbreak is the first reported in poultry in the United States since 2003, although detections in wild birds have occurred (cite). So far no commercial poultry operations have been affected.
The most recent additions to the outbreak list follow:
VIRULENT NEWCASTLE DISEASE ALERT
June 28, 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).
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June 27, 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. Four 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
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June 26, 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
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June 25, 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
