2019-01-18: Virulent Newcastle disease (vND) Outbreak
The Virulent Newcastle disease (vND) outbreak shows no signs of letting up. We now have 3 commercial chicken ranches in Southern California that have been depopulated. This week, our State Veterinarian – Dr. Annette Jones – released the following relative to upcoming poultry shows (and other live bird events):
To support our disease containment and eradication efforts, the California State Veterinarian is recommending that all poultry exhibitions that include birds from high-risk counties (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura) be cancelled.
The full document is available at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/RecommendCancellationPoultryExhibitions.pdf
A description of the Quarantine Areas is available at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Newcastle_Disease_Info.html
The outbreak is extremely serious. While we will all miss exhibiting at our favorite winter shows, the health of all California’s poultry should be our priority.
Dr. Francine Bradley Jan. 18, 2019