Some links and articles about the Virulent Newcastle Disease avian culls
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/virulent-newcastle/vnd
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-vnd.pdf
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/Resources/Virulent_Newcastle_Disease_Outbreak_Information_and_Resources/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/FAQ-WhatYouNeedtoKnow-vND2018-19.pdf
What areas are affected so far? How long has this been going on?
So far, the disease seems to be present in southern California and Arizona, with one additional case presenting in Utah and the first-ever case in northern California. Since May of 2018, the following areas have had the USDA confirm cases (taken from the APHIS website):
425 cases of vND in California
134 in San Bernardino County
1 case in Utah County, Utah
1 case in Coconino County, Arizona
This outbreak has been going on since 2018 and the response by the state of California is increasing significantly as the disease spreads.
How many birds have been killed so far?
Approximately 1.2 million.
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/03/18/chicken-killing-newcastle-disease-prompts-euthanasia-orders-for-parts-of-chino/
Where can I get additional information on these outbreaks and responses to them, including quarantine zones and information about epidemiological risks?
https://www.feedstuffs.com/news/california-modifies-virulent-newcastle-disease-quarantine-boundaries
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/pdfs/RegionalQuarantineMap.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/ai/epi-analyses-vnd-in-backyard-birds-in-california-aug.pdf
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/vnd/survsampling_sz_commercial_vnd.pdf
Has this happened before?
Yes. In 2002-2003, there was an outbreak that was handled by nearly 1,000 state and federal workers. Currently, California is receiving $45 million in federal emergency funding to increase the number of state and federal workers tackling the issue from 150 to 300, with the ramp-up in personnel expected to be completed in the next 30 days, according to an email sent jointly by the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to the Southern California News Group.
What’s currently happening?
https://www.sbsun.com/2018/11/16/54000-chickens-euthanized-after-newcastle-disease-outbreak-in-southern-california/
https://newfoodeconomy.org/virulent-newcastle-disease-poultry-backyard-chicken-coops/
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/03/15/deadly-chicken-disease-spreads-to-bay-area/
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2019/04/08/arizona-chicken-flock-disease/
https://www.pe.com/2019/04/09/personnel-doubled-to-tackle-growing-outbreak-of-chicken-killing-newcastle-disease/
“Previous Newcastle disease outbreaks in poultry in the United States occurred in the States of California (2002–2003), Nevada (2003), Arizona (2003), and Texas (2003).“
What species of birds are currently at risk, and what areas have the greatest risk?
This page has a message from the state veterinarian about what species are part of the mandatory euthanasia orders: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Newcastle_Disease_Info.html
Message from State Veterinarian, Dr. Annette Jones
Due to progression and duration of a virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) outbreak in parts of Southern California, the State Veterinarian has ordered that all poultry* epidemiologically associated (connected) with diseased birds are humanely euthanized. The most heavily impacted neighborhoods are within or near:
Compton and Whittier (Los Angeles County)
Eastvale, Menifee, Mira Loma/Jurupa Valley, Norco, Nuevo, Perris, and Riverside City (Riverside County)
Chino, Fontana, Hesperia, Highland, Muscoy, and Ontario (San Bernardino County)
Unfortunately, even individual birds and flocks that previously tested negative, but later become exposed to the disease, must be euthanized. USDA/CDFA staff will contact affected bird owners with orders specific to their property.
While this action is difficult for all involved, it must be done to eradicate VND. Otherwise, the disease will continue to spread and kill additional flocks.
For more information please refer to: Virulent Newcastle Disease FAQs or call the Sick Bird Hotline at 866-922-2473.
* Poultry species are defined as: chickens, turkeys, turkins, pheasants, peafowl, guinea fowl, quail, ducks, geese, swans, gallinules, doves, pigeons, grouse, partridges, francolin, tinamou, ostriches, and other ratites (including but not limited to the rhea, emu, and cassowary), and hatching or embryonated eggs. (bolding mine)
**Please note that this is all official stuff from the state and news outlets- it might not actually reflect the individual realities of what’s going on, especially with those new workers they’re hiring. There’s obviously a lot of nuance that ISN’T here- this is just a bunch of links and info.**
