Salinas Valley Fair chicken show canceled after deadly poultry disease outbreak

After a California outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease, the Salinas Valley Fair has canceled all poultry shows and exhibits at the 2019 Salinas Valley Fair, scheduled to take place in August.

After a new case of the disease was reported only days ago in Alameda County, California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones recommended all poultry shows and exhibitions be cancelled throughout the state. Jones is also director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services with the California Department of Food and Agriculture

In response, the fair, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2019, shut down its poultry exhibit.

“The poultry exhibit at the Fair is beloved by exhibitors and guests attending the Salinas Valley Fair,” said John Orradre, Salinas Valley Fair Livestock Committee Chair via a prepared statement.

“We understand the impact this decision will have on the youth in our 4-H and FFA programs," Orradre continued. "Our decision was not made lightly. Our concern is for animal health and doing our part to help stop the spread of this highly infectious disease. We will work with our poultry volunteers and fair staff to create opportunities that will allow exhibitors to share their knowledge and hard work.”

The announcement was met with support from some in the poultry community.

"They had to do it, for really not just the health and safety of the birds, but also for the commercial producers. Really, for the economy of California," said Deirdre O'Grady, Buena Vista 4H Poultry Project Leader. "They bring in a lot of money, commercial poultry businesses, whether it's eggs or meat production. Just as a citizen, I don't want anything to happen that's going to affect those businesses, those livelihoods."

Furthermore, O'Grady said, she's glad the show was canceled because of the risk to individual backyard chickens.

"I am aware how much children love their show chickens," O'Grady said. "It's not like pigs, where you raise them for 90 days. They keep them for many, many years; they're beloved pets. I know the kids would be very, very sad if something were to happen to theirs."

Virulent Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of poultry, and is nearly always deadly to birds and poultry. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 100 percent of unvaccinated poultry flocks exposed to Virulent Newcastle disease will die, and the disease can infect and cause death even in vaccinated poultry.

The disease is so swift that many poultry often die without exhibiting a single symptom. 

Virus particles of Virulent Newcastle disease spread through bodily fluids of diseased birds and poultry. It can travel on manure, egg flats, crates, farming materials or equipment, and people who have handled contagious poultry. 

The only way to stop the spread of the virus and eradicate the disease is to euthanize infected birds, and all birds within highly infected areas.

Since May 2018, staff from CDFA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been working in joint incident command to eradicate the disease in Southern California.

The Salinas Valley Fair is the latest in a long line of California fairs and poultry organizations to cancel shows following recommendations from the State Veterinarian.

Kate Cimini covers agriculture, environment, and human interest stories for The Californian. Have a tip? Call her at (831) 776-5137 or email kcimini@thecalifornian.com.Subscribe for full access to all of The Californian's local news coverage.