LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State officials are reporting that a 14-month-long virulent Newcastle disease outbreak in Southern California – concerns for which led to the cancellation of this year’s Lake County Fair poultry show – appears to be slowing, with no new detections.
Virulent Newcastle disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry.
The first detections of it were made in Southern California in May 2018, leading to the euthanization of 1.2 million birds – of which 1.1 million were in commercial operations – in 448 infected premises, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
One case was confirmed as far north as in Alameda County in March, when a backyard chicken in Redwood City was found to have it.
The last Newcastle disease outbreak in the U.S. occurred in Southern California in 2002, resulting in the death of 3.2 million birds and a response cost of over $160 million, officials reported.
Concerns for the disease spreading and reaching Lake County led to the Lake County Fair’s Junior Livestock Committee choosing to cancel the poultry show at this year’s fair, as Lake County News has reported.
That development has raised concerns for 4-H members, many of whom start showing with birds thanks to the lower cost.
Now, an update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones reported that there have been no new detections of Newcastle disease since June 4.
In her July 2 update, Jones noted, “While this potentially moves us closer to eradication, we must emphasize that any subsequent detections would represent a significant setback.”
Jones continued, “This is an extremely critical time. It is imperative that bird owners continue to work together to ensure that previously-infected areas remain free from disease, and it is vital that all bird owners within the regional quarantine area of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties continue practicing enhanced biosecurity and do not move birds.”
She said the state’s virulent Newcastle disease project team will now survey and test in areas where the disease has previously existed to make sure there are no remaining residual pockets of virus in poultry.
“”However, it is important to recognize that the virus will remain in the environment for several more months, and that the risk of infection remains. If additional birds test positive, those birds and any exposed birds on adjacent properties will be euthanized,” she said.
Also on July 2, Jones issued a poultry disease update and biosecurity advisory to all California poultry producers, urging enhanced biosecurity not just for Newcastle disease but due to low pathogenic avian influenza being confirmed in Monterey County in April and Merced County in late June.
Jones urged producers to continue to house poultry indoors and separate from wild birds, particularly migrating waterfowl, in order to protect their flocks.
She said the state will provide another updated risk evaluation in October.
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Officials: No new detections in Southern California virulent Newcastle disease outbreak in poultry
- Elizabeth Larson
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