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Bird Illness Has Devastating Effects

Bird Illness Has Devastating Effects

What makes exotic Newcastle disease so dangerous is the fact it is so contagious and fatal. The disease spreads rapidly among birds and has a death rate of nearly 100 percent. All species of birds are vulnerable.

The condition, formally known as velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease, is among the most infectious of bird illnesses. Anne Welsch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Larry Cooper, a spokesman for the state’s Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force, answered questions about the disease.

Question: What species of birds does the quarantine apply to?

Answer: The quarantine applies to poultry species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, partridges, pheasants and quail. The quarantine also applies to caged birds, such as parrots, parakeets and finches; ratites, such as emus and ostriches; and wild birds, such as doves, geese, grouse, pigeons and swans. For farmers, the eggs, farm equipment and other property are also covered under the quarantine.

Q. What is the cure for exotic Newcastle disease?

A. There is no vaccination for the disease, and no cure. The only way to wipe it out is to slaughter all birds found to be carrying the disease before they come into contact with other birds.

Q. How does the disease spread?

A. Infected birds can come into contact with other birds, which are likely to catch the virus. The virus is especially dangerous because it can spread in any number of ways. An infected bird will molt; its feathers can carry the virus a great distance. Feathers or dirt can then get on vehicles, farm equipment, and crates moving from one farm to the next, spreading the disease. If people walk through a contaminated site, the virus can get into their hair, on their boots or on their clothes. They can carry the virus to another site.

Q. How did the disease get here?

A. Possible culprits include parrots illegally transported across the Mexican border and cockfighting birds.

Q. Is the disease harmful to people?

A. Exotic Newcastle disease is not a public health threat and does not affect the safety of poultry or eggs.

Q. If the disease isn’t harmful to people, how come eggs from infected sites must be destroyed?

A. The virus will not be present in the eggs themselves. However, it can be transmitted through egg flats, or on the outside of the eggs if the eggs come in contact with dirt, feathers, a handler’s clothing, etc. The virus would then have another opportunity to spread.

Q. How long will this quarantine be in effect?

A. This quarantine will remain in effect until exotic Newcastle disease has been eradicated from California.

Q. Will I be paid if my bird must be destroyed because of exotic Newcastle disease?

A. Yes. A “fair market value” is paid for birds that have to be destroyed because of exotic Newcastle disease.

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