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We've been following an outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease among backyard birds in Southern California since last May (see APHIS: USDA Confirms Virulent Newcastle Disease In Backyard Flock - California),
which has since expanded to more than 150 outbreaks across 4 counties (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Riverside).
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)Thus far, only backyard birds have been affected, but this morning we have an OIE Notification of the detection of the disease at a live bird market in Los Angeles County. Details are scant at this hour, but I expect we'll learn more later in the day.
As part of enhanced surveillance for virulent Newcastle disease virus in exhibition birds, the virus was detected in a live bird market. As a result, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation of the event with enhanced surveillance.
State officials have quarantined the affected premises and implemented movement controls. The market has been depopulated and cleaned and disinfected. Live bird markets in the area have been ordered to close for a day and perform cleaning and disinfection with environmental sampling.
Measures applied
Movement control inside the country
Surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone
Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
Quarantine
Stamping out
Zoning
Disinfection
Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
No treatment of affected animals
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) Newcastle Website doesn't currently have any information posted on this latest development, but describes the threat below:
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.
The virus is found in respiratory discharges and feces and may cause high rates of sickness and death in susceptible birds. For poultry, chickens are most susceptible and ducks and geese are the least susceptible. Mortality rates for Psittacine birds (parrots) can range from zero up to 75%. Certain parrots, especially Amazon parrots, can shed VND virus intermittently in excess of one year. Other birds may be infected, but may not show any symptoms and may still be able to spread the disease. Once VND is introduced into domestic avian populations, subsequent spread is normally caused by domestic bird-to-bird contact or through contact with contaminated people, feed or equipment. Other types of Newcastle disease known as lentogenic and mesogenic are less virulent and may cause mild symptoms or none at all.
There is no effective cure for virulent Newcastle Disease. It is important that all commercial and non-commercial poultry owners maintain effective barriers to mitigate the risk of VND. Biosecurity tips for commercial poultry owners can be found here. For Backyard and non-commercial poultry owners, biosecurity tips can be found here.
