Additional cases of Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) in backyard birds in San Bernardino County have been confirmed. Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to the disease, and have reported sick birds.
This make 17 confirmed cases in San Bernadino County and one in LA County since mid-May 2018.
Virulent Newcastle disease (VND), formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease, is a serious, highly contagious viral disease that can affect poultry and other birds. In rare cases, humans that have exposure to infected birds may get eye inflammation or mild fever-like symptoms. These signs generally resolve without treatment, however, medical care should be sought if symptoms persist. Infection is easily prevented by using standard personal protective equipment. Virulent Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern. No human cases of Newcastle disease have ever occurred from eating poultry products. Properly cooked poultry products are safe to eat.
The virus is found in respiratory discharges and feces and may cause high rates of sickness and death in susceptible birds. For poultry, chickens are most susceptible and ducks and geese are the least susceptible. Mortality rates for Psittacine birds (parrots) can range from zero up to 75%. Certain parrots, especially Amazon parrots, can shed VND virus intermittently in excess of one year. Other birds may be infected, but may not show any symptoms and may still be able to spread the disease. Once VND is introduced into domestic avian populations, subsequent spread is normally caused by domestic bird-to-bird contact or through contact with contaminated people, feed or equipment. Other types of Newcastle disease known as lentogenic and mesogenic are less virulent and may cause mild symptoms or none at all.
Pick up these clearance items for your feathered friends before they’re gone!
There is no effective cure for virulent Newcastle Disease.
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This is such a tragedy I am a bra bird person I think it is a knee jerk reaction. Testing could be done to rule out certain birds. Especially people pet parrots. The fact that wild birds also spread the disease how do you propose keeping wild birds away from the poultry farms. That is your true concern. To just slaughter thousands of all birds in San Bernardino county is not necessary . Parrot owners should have the option to test all their birds to clear them. Especially if there are no poultry on the property and the pet birds are kept inside. But no you will take the easy way out and cause incredible pain to the parrot owners. The last time you did this many years ago a women had a nervous breakdown because you killed her beloved pets. Her whole life was was those birds. You have had many years to create a better program but apparently you have a short memory and you really don’t care the pain you are causing. This is an outrage. I feel so very sorry for all the bird owners. Oh and good luck trying to control wild birds that get in the food and water in anyplace that has chickens.