Virulent Newcastle disease reaches Utah

During the week of January 25-31, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed 26 cases of virulent Newcastle disease in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California.

During the shutdown

An additional 84 cases were confirmed between December 21, 2018, and January 24, 2019. These detections occurred during the recent government shutdown and, while there were APHIS employees responding to the detections during that time, the weekly update messages and updates to the APHIS website were not completed. These updates include two commercial cases in Riverside County, California, which were announced during the shutdown. They also include one case in backyard exhibition chickens in Utah County, Utah.

Affected flocks are quickly euthanized. Together, these actions will help us prevent additional disease spread and eradicate the disease more quickly.

More information

USDA is announcing confirmed vND cases weekly. Cases are still being tested and confirmed as they are identified. If there is a finding in a new state, USDA will issue an announcement for that case immediately. A complete list of confirmed cases are available on our website at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/vnd.

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.