|
|
Farm and Home Biosecurity
Consumer/General Public
Protecting Cage (Exotic) and Aviary Birds Against Exotic
Newcastle Disease
On October 1, 2002 Exotic Newcastle disease (END) was confirmed in
backyard poultry and gamefowl in southern California. Since that time, numerous
backyard premises have been quarantined for END. The disease has also spread
into flocks of commercial layer chickens in the same area of California. The
California Department of Agriculture and USDA/APHIS are presently working to
eradicate the disease. Several counties or portions thereof are under a state
and federal quarantine to restrict bird movement. The disease has also been
confirmed in the Las Vegas, Nevada area in backyard chickens. To date there has
not been a problem diagnosed in exotic cage and aviary birds in these areas.
However, these types of birds are susceptible to the disease and as such are at
risk. An outbreak in exotic cage and aviary birds can be extremely costly. An
outbreak in 1980 in Florida cost USDA/APHIS over 1 million dollars to eradicate
and resulted in the death of approximately 8,000 birds and additional
depopulation of over 30,000 birds in 23 states.
The causative agent of END is a virus in the family
Paramyxoviridae. Infected birds can shed the virus in the feces and other body
secretions and some birds may not be showing clinical signs. The virus can
persist in feces and moist soil for long periods of time. Birds can also
contract the disease by direct contact with infected birds, feces or other body
secretions, exposure over short distances to aerosols from coughing and
sneezing, or contaminated equipment, clothing, etc. This virus has a variable
incubation period (17 days or less) depending on the specie of bird
infected, strain of virus, other infections in the bird, various management
factors, stressors, etc. Some exotic cage birds are highly susceptible (Amazon
and Eclectus parrots, Cockatoos, Macaws) whereas others act as carriers and may
not develop clinical signs ( finches, Lories, Mynah birds, Budgerigars). The
clinical signs of the disease are also variable and may resemble other
diseases. Some birds contract the disease and die without showing signs whereas
others develop disease and recover. Nervous system signs such as tremors,
shaking of the head, twisting of the head, and paralysis may be present. Other
signs that can be observed are depression, lack of appetite, weight loss,
diarrhea, difficulty breathing, eye and nasal discharges, coughing, etc. Birds
may or may not develop lesions associated with the disease. Lesions observed can
be small hemorrhages on fatty tissues or in the digestive tract and respiratory
tract. The spleen and liver may also be enlarged in some birds. However, since
the symptoms and lesions are not exclusive for END the disease must be
differentiated from similar diseases. The disease can be diagnosed in live birds
by virus isolations from fecal, choanal, cloacal, and tracheal swabs. In birds
that have died the virus can be isolated from various tissues such as lung,
brain, intestines, etc. Serological testing can also be used as a screening
test. There is no effective cure for the disease and the disease is eradicated
by strict quarantine, surveillance, and depopulation. The best way to reduce the
risk of introducing the disease into your birds is by following Biosecurity
practices (Additional information on Biosecurity is available at http://www.uark.edu/depts/posc/avianindex.html)
. Some examples of such practices are :
1. Do not purchase birds that appear sick or that may have been illegally
brought into the country.
2. Avoid sick birds if at all possible.
3. Practice good hygiene principles.
4. Clean and disinfect thoroughly.
5. Do not visit aviaries that have sick birds.
6. Prevent rodents and wild birds from entering the facilities where birds
are kept.
7. If you visit a facility with birds that may be suspected of being infected
it is important to change clothes, shower, wash your hands and thoroughly
disinfect all items taken on the premise before contact with your birds.
8. Report signs of disease immediately and get a veterinary diagnosis
immediately.
For additional information or to report disease contact any of the following:
County Agent,
Local veterinarian,
State Veterinarian State Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory,
Extension Veterinarian
F. Dustan Clark
Extension Poultry Health Veterinarian
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
University of Arkansas
O205 POSC Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-4375 fdclark@uark.edu
Back to Consumer/General Public |
