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| Coconino County, Arizona - Credit Wikipedia |
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Not quite 11 months ago California's Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced their first poultry outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) in 15 years. While primarily affecting small backyard flocks, the number of outbreaks has grown to more than 400 with reportedly close to 1 million birds culled.
Although it poses only a minor threat to human health, Virulent Newcastle Disease can be up to 100% fatal in poultry, and is a serious threat to poultry interests world wide. In humans, the virus generally causes mild flu-like illness and/or conjunctivitis.With the exception of 1 exported case reported last January in Utah - and one case reported three weeks ago in Northern California (Oakland) - all of the vND outbreaks have occurred in 4 Southern California counties; Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside & Ventura.
Over the weekend, however, it was reported that a case has been detected in Coconino County, in neighboring Arizona. While a direct link to the Southern California outbreak has not been revealed, the virus is reportedly genetically almost identical to that virus, leading officials to believed they may be connected.
Virulent Newcastle Disease detected in Arizona
Posted on April 5, 2019 by Office of Public Affairs
Announcement by the USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of virulent Newcastle disease (VND) in a small flock of pet chickens in Coconino County, Arizona. This is the first case of VND in Arizona.
This case is believed to be connected to the current outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in California, as tests show the virus is almost identical to the virus causing disease in California. Since May 2018, more than 400 cases of VND have been confirmed as part of the southern California outbreak, primarily in backyard exhibition birds.
Virulent Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern. No human cases of the 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. Symptoms are usually very mild, and limited to conjunctivitis and/or influenza-like symptoms. Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment.
APHIS is working with the Arizona Department of Agriculture to respond to the finding. Federal and State partners are also conducting additional surveillance and testing in the area.
It is essential that all bird owners follow good biosecurity practices to help protect their birds from 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 to their veterinarian or to State veterinary officials. Additional information on biosecurity for all poultry flocks can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock.
More information about VND in California
The last outbreak of Newcastle Disease in 2003 (described below) also began in Southern California, and spread to neighboring states. This from the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture (Note: vND was called END or Exotic Newcastle Disease at the time).
The 2002-03 END outbreak, originally confirmed in backyard poultry in Southern California, spread to commercial poultry operations in California and backyard poultry in Arizona, Nevada and Texas. The Governor of California declared a State of Emergency, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared an Extraordinary Emergency, and local emergencies were declared in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
A USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Task Force was formed that involved over 7,000 individuals rotating in and out over the course of the outbreak. Trade restrictions resulting from the disease had negative impacts on California and U.S. poultry and egg producers. The outbreak, from discovery to eradication, lasted eleven months. The outbreak response led to the depopulation of 3.16 million birds at a cost of $161 million.Prior to that - in 1971 - an outbreak that began in Southern California led to the culling of 12 million birds and a loss of tens of millions of dollars.
The current outbreak has thus far been largely confined to Southern California. The most recent recap from the USDA reads:
Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)
Last Modified: Apr 5, 2019
Virulent Newcastle disease, 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.
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. In very rare instances, people working directly with sick birds can become infected with mild symptoms, such as conjunctivitis. These are easily prevent with personal protective equipment.
Since May 18, USDA has confirmed 413 cases of vND in California, including 128 in San Bernardino County, 242 in Riverside County, 42 in Los Angeles County, 1 in Ventura County, and 1 in Alameda County. USDA also confirmed 1 case in Utah County, Utah and 1 case in Coconino County, Arizona:
