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Exotic Newcastle Disease

This information is reprinted from the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture site www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/Newcastle_info.htm

"California Chickens and Eggs Are Safe to Eat. This Disease Has NO Public Health Consequences.

Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting all species of birds. It is one of the most infectious diseases of poultry in the world; it is so virulent that many birds die without showing any clinical signs, and a death rate of nearly 100 percent can occur.

END was confirmed on October 1, 2002 in backyard poultry in Southern California. The Governor of California has declared a State of Emergency, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared an Extraordinary Emergency, and San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties have declared local emergencies because of this serious outbreak. Disease has now spread beyond backyard poultry to affect commercial operations in California, backyard poultry in Nevada and Arizona, and is still spreading. All birds in Southern California are under quarantine - no birds, bird products, or END-exposed materials can be moved from the area without a permit from the USDA. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the USDA have over 1,500 people in Southern California fighting this devastating avian disease.

To help prevent the spread of END, if your poultry or birds become ill or die, or if you are aware of any neighbor's birds that may be affected, please call the USDA immediately at 1-800-491-1899. They will arrange for a free veterinary evaluation of your bird.

To help protect your birds from this serious threat, please follow these precautions:

  • Check your birds daily for signs of illness and call them immediately if they become ill
  • Keep your birds at home: do not move them to any other location
  • Don't visit live bird markets and the disease may be present at these locations, and it can be transported back to your birds
  • This disease does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect the safety of poultry and egg products"