Virulent Newcastle's Disease in Los Angeles County CA

[micstrachan]

Oh my. I’m in Northern California. I hope they can contain this.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[aratinga]

Fortunately you're on an island, so having it spread to you is unlikely... you don't need anything more to worry about. A volcano is enough!

 

[sluggospud]

Here's an email that was sent from UC Davis to those who have answered their backyard chicken survey:

Hello backyard poultry enthusiasts,

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has identified a case of virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County. The case was detected at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS) when a private practitioner submitted a sick bird for testing. This is the first case of virulent Newcastle disease, previously referred to as exotic Newcastle disease, in the U.S. since 2003. CDFA is working with federal and local partners as well as poultry owners to respond to the finding. State officials have quarantined potentially exposed birds and are testing for the disease.

Virulent Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and deadly virus in birds; the virus is found in respiratory discharges and feces. Clinical signs in birds include:

• sneezing
• coughing
• nasal discharge
• green watery diarrhea
• depression
• neck twisting (example attached)
• circling
• muscle tremors
• paralysis
• decreased egg production
• swelling around eyes and neck
• sudden death.

It is essential that all poultry owners follow good biosecurity practices to help protect their birds from infectious diseases such as Newcastle. 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.

For backyard flock owners, biosecurity measures are to use dedicated shoes and clothes when caring for them and not to use/wear those clothes/shoes in other areas.

Additional information on biosecurity can be found at:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...ation/avian-influenza-disease/birdbiosecurity

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/BioSpecies/BioPoultry.html

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/AI/BiosecurityForBackyardAndPetBirds.pdf

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...ation/avian-influenza-disease/birdbiosecurity

http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/biosec/

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). Additional information on VND and biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Newcastle_Disease_Info.html

Sick or dead backyard birds can be submitted to CAHFS laboratories for post-mortem examination ($20 plus shipping and handling). Information on this program can be found at:
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/CAHFS_NecropsyFactsheet.pdf

For additional information on who to contact for issues regarding backyard poultry, see:
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/contact/

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. Symptoms are usually very mild, and limited to conjunctivitis and/or influenza-like symptoms. Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment.

Please feel free to share widely.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Fortunately you're on an island, so having it spread to you is unlikely... you don't need anything more to worry about. A volcano is enough!

Some order birds from the Mainland, have a friend that brings in thru CA Warned her.

Yup that Volcano is REALLY keeping us on our toes, it's really spurring lava. Think most made it out of the area before it went over the highway however 4 had to be air lifted, heading towards the Ocean. Air quality was bad couple days ago, thankfully the Trades are back. We can't smell it & it's probably very minute, still affecting some more than others.

No matter where we all live, there's Beauty and Weather ...

 

[Caring1]

Ugh I'm in LA County and just tooka wheezing bird to the vet - definitely not Newcastle - she's vaccinated and has been wheezing for a couple weeks - if it were Newcastles she'd be dead right?

Either way ten will get you twenty USDA will be coming to my home - right?
Has anyone been through this - do they just show up in white suits and kill them all or do they test to confirm first?

 

[ChickNanny13]

I would HOPE USDA test before anything so drastic. Keep us posted, hope your bird feeling better soon.

 

[Kiki]

I am going to have to say that if your birds did have ND they would not be alive still...after a month...

 

[Nambroth]

Just want to bump this. It's very serious and important for anyone that keeps any species of birds, especially if they go outside, in this region. The last time there was an outbreak they killed millions of birds and had a task force going door to door, apparently with the aid if the USPS, to find out if people had birds and often killed them on the spot!
http://articles.latimes.com/2003/apr/12/local/me-birds12

 

[Caring1]

That article does not help me feel any better
this is horrible - the wondering
it's just one bird the rest are fine - fingers crossed nothing comes of this