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APHIS has reported an outbreak of virulent Newcastle Disease in Southern California via press releases and audio files.  The first case was at a Los Angeles County exhibition, although the site of infection is unclear. Subsequently 12 additional backyard farms in southwestern San Bernardino  County have been confirmed.  Several countries have banned import of poultry products, largely from the above two counties.  Sequence analysis indicates the outbreaks are most closely related to virus from a 2002/2003 outbreak in Southern California, with additional cases in backyard farms in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.  That outbreak was related to outbreaks in Mexico and Central America.  OIE reports have not been filed because the USDA does not consider chickens on backyard farms as poultry (and poultry infected with virulent Newcastle Disease require an immediate notification.

Posted
From: APHIS-VS Deputy Administrator <[email protected]>
Date: June 4, 2018 at 3:30:26 PM EDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: USDA Confirms Additional Case of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in California

 
USDA Confirms Additional Case of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in California
 
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed an additional case of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard birds in San Bernardino County, California.
 
A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd.
 
Virulent Newcastle disease has not been found in commercial poultry in the United States since 2003. 
 
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.  Symptoms are usually very mild and limited to conjunctivitis.  Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment. 
 
Samples from the flocks were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS).  The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings.  APHIS is working closely with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to respond to these findings and to conduct an epidemiological investigation.  Federal and State partners are also conducting additional surveillance and testing in the area.
 
In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.  Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at Biosecurity for Birds.




This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
Posted

Virulent Newcastle Disease

Last Modified: Jun 6, 2018

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: 

Date Confirmed

State

County
 

Types of Birds

May 17, 2018

California

Los Angeles

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 24, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition mixed species birds

May 26, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 26, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 26, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 26, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 30, 2018

California

San Bernardino 

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 30, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

May 30, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

June 1, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

June 4, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

June 5, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

June 5, 2018

California

San Bernardino

Backyard exhibition chickens

 


How You Can Help

 

It is essential that all bird owners follow good biosecurity practices to help protect their birds from infectious diseases.  These simple steps include: 

    • Washing hands and scrubbing boots before and after entering an area with birds;
    • 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.

 All bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

Posted
From: APHIS-VS Deputy Administrator <[email protected]>
Date: June 6, 2018 at 3:07:08 PM EDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Industry Call Friday, June 8 at 3:45 p.m. ET: Virulent Newcastle Disease Update
 

Please join us on a conference call at 3:45 p.m. ET on Friday, June 8, for an update on virulent Newcastle disease (vND) in backyard birds in California. 

 

USDA Confirms Additional Cases of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Backyard Birds in California

 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed three additional cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard birds in San Bernardino County, California.

 

A complete list of confirmed cases is available on our website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd.

 

Virulent Newcastle disease has not been found in commercial poultry in the United States since 2003. 

 

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.  Symptoms are usually very mild and limited to conjunctivitis.  Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment. 

 

Samples from the flocks were tested at the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS).  The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirms all findings.  APHIS is working closely with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to respond to these findings and to conduct an epidemiological investigation.  Federal and State partners are also conducting additional surveillance and testing in the area.

 

In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.  Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at Biosecurity for Birds.

 

 





This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
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