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Farm and Home Biosecurity
Livestock/Row Crop Producer
Protecting Poultry 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. On December 27, 2002 and
January 2, 2003 the disease was confirmed in flocks of layer chickens in the
same area of California. Several other commercial flocks and numerous backyard
premises have been quarantined since that time. The California Department of
Agriculture and USDA/APHIS are presently working to eradicate the disease. The
mortality rate associated with the disease in commercial chickens has been
relatively low compared to that in the backyard and gamefowl flocks which has
been 75-100%. Several counties or portions thereof, are under a state and
federal quarantine to restrict bird movement. The disease has also been found in
Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. Those premises are under quarantine, investigation,
and eradication by USDA/APHIS and the states of Nevada, Arizona., and Texas.
A suspect END case has been reported in a gamefowl flock in Muskogee county in
Oklahoma. To date (4-25-03) this case has not been confirmed by The National
Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa although the initial premise is
under quarantine. There is no involvement in commercial birds at this time and
the commercial industry in the region has increased surveillance and security
practices. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is
currently investigating the case.
The causative agent of END is a virus (Rubulavirus) in the family
Paramyxoviridae. The virus can persist in feces for long periods of time and
some bird species (parrots and some wild birds) may be carriers of the virus.
Outbreaks of the disease can cause severe losses in a short period of time.
Birds can 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. The incubation period
for the disease varies from 2-15 days with the incubation period in chickens
being 2-6 days. Clinical symptoms of the disease can include : a sudden death
loss or increase in losses, high rates of death, gasping for air, coughing,
sneezing, green watery diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite, droopy wings,
twisting of the head and neck, circling, egg production loss, paralysis, and
muscle spasms. Mortality varies with the viral strain and species infected ; but
may be high at the initial onset. Lesions observed with the disease include: a
nasal discharge, swelling in the neck tissues around the trachea, swelling
around the eyes, thin misshappen eggs, hemorrhages on the tracheal mucosal
surface, small pinpoint hemorrhages on the inside lining of the proventriculus,
hemorrhage and necrosis of the lymphoid tissue in the intestines, and
hemorrhages in the vent. However, since the symptoms and lesions are not
exclusive for END the disease must be differentiated from similar diseases such
as Avian Influenza and fowl cholera. A definitive diagnosis is currently based
upon virus isolation and identification.
This disease can cause devastating costly losses in commercial poultry,
backyard and hobby flocks, pet bird aviaries, etc. There is no effective cure
for the disease and the only way to eradicate the disease is 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) . Examples of such practices
are:
1. Permit only essential visitors, workers , and/or equipment on the farm.
2. Provide all employees with clean sanitized or disposable clothing and boots
for use on the farm.
3. Have a disinfection protocol in place for all employees and visitors.
4. Clean and disinfect vehicles at the entrance to the farm.
5. Do not visit other farms or facilities that have birds.
6. Take precautions when entering your property after visiting any place where
birds are kept.
8. Report signs of disease immediately and get a veterinary diagnosis on any
bird that dies.
For additional information or to report disease contact any of the following:
- County Agent
- Local veterinarian
- State Veterinarian
- Arkansas (501) 907-2400
- Missouri (573-522-3377
- Oklahoma
(405) 522-6142
- Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission Diagnostic labs
- Springdale (479)
751-4869
- Little Rock (501) 907-2430
- Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic labs
- Springfield (417) 895-6861
- Columbia (573) 882-6811
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic lab Stillwater
(405) 744-6623
- Arkansas Extension Poultry Health Veterinarian
(479) 575-4375
F. Dustan Clark
Extension Poultry Health Veterinarian
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
University of Arkansas
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