Exotic Newcastle Disease Facts
January 2003
WSDA
P.O. Box 42560
Olympia, Washington 98504-2560
WHAT IS EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE?
It is a rapidly spreading virus that affects all birds. One of several types of Newcastle diseases, Exotic Newcastle is one of the most infectious diseases of poultry in the world. It occurs in Central and South America, the Middle East, and most of Europe, Africa and Asia. The severity of the disease varies with the type of virus. According the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Exotic Newcastle is so virulent that many birds die without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100 percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. The disease can infect the cause death even in vaccinated poultry.
IS EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE A THREAT TO HUMANS?
No. It does not threaten public health or affect the safety of poultry and egg products.
HAS EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE BEEN FOUND IN WASHINGTON?
No. However, bird owners should take steps to protect their flocks. California officials have been battling the disease in backyard flocks for the last three months and they reported last week that the virus has been found in commercial egg-laying facilities. Game fowl tent to move within states and between states outside of the normal animal movement safeguards and without regard to animal health requirements.To keep the disease out of Washington, do not accept shipments of birds from California or Mexico. Please report shipments of birds from those areas, and signs of Exotic Newcastle Disease to the state veterinarian at (360) 902-1878.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE?
After an incubation period of 2 - 15 days,it affects the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. Infected birds may cough, sneeze or gasp. These abnormal respiratory sounds are often followed by other signs, such as drooping wings, dragging legs twisting of the head and neck, depression, lack of appetite and paralysis. Some birds may have diarrhea and swelling of the head. Young chickens are more susceptible and show signs sooner than older ones. In laying flocks, egg production may stop. Eggs from infected flocks may be abnormal in color, shape or surface and egg whites may be watery.
HOW IS EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE SPREAD?
It is spread primarily through contact between healthy birds and the bodily discharges of infected birds. Virus is present in exhaled air, droppings, contaminated water or food, eggs laid during illness and all parts of the carcass. Birds can also be infected by contact with contaminated people, vehicles, equipment, wild birds and rodents.
WHAT CAN BIRD OWNERS DO TO PROTECT THEIR BIRDS?
Do not purchase birds that are smuggled into the U.S. These birds are not quarantined and tested by USDA and they may carry Exotic Newcastle or other diseases. Pet birds, especially parrots, may shed virus for more than a year without showing signs of illness.
- Ask suppliers to certify that birds are legally imported or raised in the U.S., healthy prior to shipment, and will be transported in new or thoroughly disinfected containers.
- Maintain records of all sales and shipments of flocks. Isolate all newly purchased birds for at least 30 days.
- Restrict movement of personnel between new and old birds.
- Follow the biosecurity measures for poultry producers listed on below on this fact sheet.
WHAT BIOSECURITY MEASURES CAN POULTRY PRODUCERS TAKE TO PROTECT THEIR FLOCKS?
- Keep poultry houses locked and allow entry only to essential personnel.
- Workers should wear clean or disposable coveralls, head covers and boots, or plastic boots that can be disinfected.
- Do not use equipment from another farm in your poultry house or on your farm. Disinfect and restrict the movement of vehicles entering and leaving your farm.
- If dealers visit, insist that crates and trucks are clean. Never allow a dealer's crates to be placed in your poultry house.
- Do not allow animals into poultry buildings. Work with a pest control professional to keep wild birds and rodents out.
- Use a disinfectant footbath before entering or leaving the poultry house or egg room. Change the footbath daily.
- Avoid visiting other poultry operations. Do not wear poultry house clothing and footwear away from the farm.
- Do no attend auctions where poultry are sold. Do not bring birds from slaughter channels back to the farm.
- Clean and disinfect poultry houses between each lot of birds.
- Incinerate, compost, render or bury dead birds. Never dispose of them in fields and do not allow them to pile up.
- Do not spread droppings from any flock that has experienced illness and mortality within the previous three weeks, unless the droppings have been composted properly.
- Submit sick, dying and dead birds to a diagnostic laboratory whenever unusual disease occurs.
- For information about Washington State University's Avian Health and Food Safety Lab in Puyallup, call Dr. A. Singh Dhillon at (253) 445-4537.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT MY BIRDS HAVE EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE?
Sick or dead birds must be tested to confirm Exotic Newcastle Disease because it can mimic other bird diseases. State or federal veterinarians will work with private veterinarians at no charge to the owner to collect samples for testing. Call the state Department of Agriculture at (360) 902-1878 or the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (360) 753-9430.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
State of Washington
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
(360) 902-1800
January 17, 2003
State prohibits moving birds from Exotic Newcastle Disease quarantine area into WashingtonOn January 15, 2003, the Washington State Department of Agriculture adopted a rule that immediately prohibits moving birds from the quarantine zone established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prevent the spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease. Exotic Newcastle is a highly contagious virus that affects all birds. It does not pose a human health threat and does not affect the safety of poultry products intended for human consumption, such as chicken meat or eggs.As of January 17, the quarantine includes portions of Nye County and Clark County in Nevada; and the following counties in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Ventura, Riverside and Santa Barbara.The rule will remain in effect for 120 days. It can be renewed for an additional 120 days if necessary.NEW SECTIONWAC 16-54-155 EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE (END) EMERGENCY QUARANTINE. This section applies to all avian species and commercial traffic originating from the END quarantine zone in California and to bird exhibits, shows, auctions, public displays and competitions held in Washington State.
- Areas under quarantine. The areas under quarantine include all counties and portions of counties in California currently declared or in the future declared to be under quarantine for END by the state of California or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The area under quarantine in California as of January 15, 2003 includes Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Imperial County and Ventura County.
- Items under restriction. Birds, poultry, poultry products, poultry waste, vehicles, equipment and materials that could transmit END. Included in the restriction are vehicles that make deliveries of live birds into the quarantine zone and return into the state of Washington.
- No live or dead bird of any type, including poultry, poultry product, material or poultry waste, that could transmit END may be moved into Washington State from the area under quarantine. An exemption is made for eggs that have met the requirements of 9 CFR 82.8, including washing, sanitizing and packing in new material.
- No equipment used for the processing of eggs or for the housing, feeding, watering, entertaining, or otherwise caring for birds of any type may be moved into Washington State from the area under quarantine unless accompanied by a certificate signed by an official of the USDA or the California Department of Food and Agriculture stating the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected according to a protocol established by the USDA.
- The driver of a commercial vehicle originating from the area under quarantine who is transporting feed or eggs must provide proof, if asked by an agriculture inspector, of the cleaning and disinfection of the vehicle, trailer, and packing material performed immediately prior to the loading of the vehicle. This proof must be provided in writing and demonstrate that the cleaning and disinfection was performed according to the protocol established by the USDA.
- A driver of a vehicle of any type transporting a bird must provide, if asked by any agriculture inspector, an original health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within thirty days prior to entry stating the birds are healthy and do not originate from a quarantined area. Photocopies of health certificates must have an original veterinarian signature. National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) forms for movement of poultry may be used by members of NPIP with the certification that the shipment did not originate from a quarantined area.
- A promoter of an event in Washington State, such as an exhibit, show, auction, competition, or other public display of birds of any type shall immediately inform the State Veterinarian by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail of a scheduled event. The notification shall include the contact name, mailing address, physical address of the event, and daytime telephone number.
- A promoter of an event in Washington State, such as an exhibit, show, auction, competition, or other public display of birds of any type, shall inform the event exhibitors and vendors in writing of this WAC, the current quarantine for END, and the risk of introducing END into Washington State. The promoter also shall require each event exhibitor and vendor to attest in writing that they are not in violation of this WAC. The signed document shall be forwarded to the State Veterinarian within one week of the conclusion of the event.
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