Clinical signs of virulent Newcastle disease include swelling around the eyes and respiratory distress. ( USDA )
Animal health officials have confirmed two cases of virulent Newcastle disease in backyard poultry flocks in southern California, raising concerns the disease could spread to commercial operations. The disease has not been confirmed in commercial poultry in the United States since 2003, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
While not a food-safety threat, humans can contract a usually mild form of the disease from exposure to infected birds. In unvaccinated poultry flocks though, the virulent disease can cause up to 100% mortality.
The two California cases, one in San Bernardino County and one in Los Angeles County, were confirmed over the past two weeks in backyard poultry flocks. APHIS now urges poultry owners, especially in southern California, to adopt biosecurity measures to prevent spread of the disease. These include:
- Wash hands and scrub boots before and after entering an area with birds.
- Clean and disinfect tires and equipment before moving them off the property.
- Isolate any birds returning from shows for 30 days before placing them with the rest of the flock. Limit visitor contact with their birds, and do not let anyone else who owns birds come in contact with their flock to avoid potentially sharing/spreading germs between flocks.
- 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.
Clinical signs of virulent Newcastle disease include:
- Sudden death and increased death loss in the flock.
- Sneezing; gasping for air; nasal discharge; coughing.
- Greenish, watery diarrhea.
- Decreased activity.
- Tremors; drooping wings; twisting of the head and neck.
- Circling; complete stiffness.
- Swelling around the eyes and neck.
Images of some of these signs are available here.
Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at the USDA’s Biosecurity for Birds website.
Additional cases will be reported on the APHIS website as they are confirmed.