With virulent Newcastle disease killing a growing number of Southern California chickens, state Veterinarian Annette Jones has announced a poultry quarantine for all of Los Angeles County and large portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The contagious respiratory virus is nearly always fatal for all poultry and has most affected chickens in the current outbreak. Though the number of infections went down for several months after the disease was identified, in May, the number of cases has increased since November.
In addition to the latest quarantines, communities in the three counties continue to have mandatory euthanasia decrees for all poultry. With past and currently planned euthanasia orders, the disease will have led to the death of 1 million birds. The numbers of birds euthanized has doubled since Jan. 25.
“There are no human health concerns provided that any meat or eggs are cooked properly,” according to Wednesday’s announcement by the state Department of Food and Agriculture.
“People who come in direct contact with the virus may develop conjunctivitis-like symptoms or run a mild fever.”
The quarantine requires owners to report sick birds to the Department of Food and Agriculture, allow testing, cease exhibitions, stop shipping and receiving of birds and increase biosecurity.
“The primary way that (Newcastle Disease) spreads is by people moving sick birds,” Jones said. “Extending the prohibition of bird movement across a larger area is the next logical step in being able to stop the spread of the virus and to eradicate the disease.”
Beside Los Angeles County, the quarantine reaches from the western boundary of Riverside County to the Salton Sea — including the Coachella Valley. It also includes western San Bernardino County extending as far east as the Yucca Valley. A map of the quarantined areas can be found at bit.ly/2KQurJu.
While quarantines have been announced for 18 communities at various times since May, those issued Wednesday are the most sweeping yet.
Cases had been mostly backyard show chickens until late December, when infections first were identified at a commercial chicken operation. On Feb. 16, the most recent instance of infection at an industry operation was identified, bringing the totals to four in Riverside County and two in San Bernardino County. The Department of Food and Agriculture does not release the names or addresses of infected operations.
Cities and communities with mandatory euthanasia orders are Compton and Whittier in Los Angeles County; Eastvale, Menifee, Mira Loma/Jurupa Valley, Norco, Nuevo, Perris and Riverside City in Riverside County; and Fontana, Hesperia, Highland, Muscoy and Ontario in San Bernardino County.
The current outbreak is the first time a commercial flock in the state has been infected since 2002-2003, when nearly 4 million birds on 2,500 premises were euthanized. That outbreak touched 22 commercial poultry operations.
The USDA recommends bird owners avoid visits to other bird owners or poultry farms during an outbreak. Those who do make visits should change clothes and clean their hands and shoes before entering their own bird area. Egg trays, crates, vehicles and tires should be disinfected.
