August 31, 2019

Virulent Newcastle Disease Update from State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones

There was a new detection of virulent Newcastle disease (VND) on August 30 at a property in central San Diego County. This is the first detection of VND in San Diego County since this incident began in May 2018. This case was identified when a private veterinarian submitted dead birds to the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System.

VND response team members from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working through the holiday weekend to establish control measures including restriction of bird movement, mandatory euthanasia of infected and exposed birds, and surveillance testing near the property where infection was detected. We are moving quickly to investigate the origin of disease as well as any movement of birds or equipment that could carry infection.

Detections of VND have decreased greatly over the last few months. Our priority remains to stop the spread of the virus and eradicate the disease. We have made significant progress toward this goal by identifying and clearing remaining pockets of disease, but this case reminds all bird owners in Southern California to remain aware of VND signs, practice good biosecurity, stop illegal movement of birds from property to property, and report any sick birds immediately to the Sick Bird Hotline, 866-922-2473. More information about VND, including biosecurity guidelines to keep birds healthy, is available on the CDFA virulent Newcastle disease web page.

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The regional quarantine is still in effect (see map here). For a list of virulent Newcastle disease cases since the outbreak began in May 2018, visit the USDA VND website or  https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Newcastle_Disease_Info.html 

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Attention: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not allowing shipments of live birds (all) or hatching/embryonated eggs into or out of zip codes 90000-93599 in California. For more information: https://postalpro.usps.com/node/6643

 The modified quarantine extends from the Northern and Southern borders of western Riverside County to the Salton Sea—including the Coachella Valley—and as far east as Yucca Valley in San Bernardino County, with a Northern boundary of State Route 58 at the Kern County line. 

Unfortunately, even birds and flocks that previously tested negative, but now fall within a designated mandatory euthanasia area, must be euthanized. USDA/CDFA staff will contact affected bird owners with orders specific to their property.

 The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are taking extra precautions after Virulent Newcastle Disease was found in San Diego County over the weekend.

According to a statement released by the zoo, “heightened biosecurity measures are being instituted at both the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.”

The zoo says it’s closed walkthrough aviaries at both parks and removed guest access in an “excess of caution.”

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Read the full statement below:

Working with local health officials, San Diego Zoo Global veterinarians and animal care staff have been monitoring the progress of Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) in Southern California. The current vND outbreak began in May, 2018. This highly contagious viral infection of poultry and other avian species continues to spread in unpredictable ways due to individuals moving birds outside of the CDFA/USDA quarantine zone. This puts our susceptible bird species at risk.

Due to a recently diagnosed case of this disease in San Diego County, heightened biosecurity measures are being instituted at both the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These measures, which are being taken in an excess of caution; include the closure of walkthrough aviaries at both parks, removing birds from guest access, halting free flight bird programs and restrictions on guest access to behind-the-scenes bird areas.

The disease was detected over the weekend at a property in central San Diego County, according to a state veterinarian.

The case was identified when a private veterinarian submitted dead birds to the Calfiornia Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.
"We are moving quickly to investigate the origin of disease as well as any movement of birds or equipment that could carry infection," state veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones said.

Members of the 'home flock' community encourage keeping your birds where they are, wash your hands, change your clothes and shoes after contact with the birds to prevent the spread of the disease.

The disease put California on a quarantine, keeping businesses from buying new chickens, leaving cages empty. The incident, according to CDFA, started May of 2018.

Symptoms owners should look out for:

• Sudden death and increased death loss in flock;
• Sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing;
• Greenish, watery diarrhea;
• Decreased activity, tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, complete stiffness; and
• Swelling around the eyes and neck.

The disease does not affect meat humans consume. People can catch the disease through touching a chicken's bodily fluids, and a person could come down with mild flu symptoms

To report any sick birds, San Diegans are asked to immediately call the Sick Bird Hotline, 866-922-2473."