March 21, 2019
News that Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) has moved north from Southern California has the poultry industry very concerned. The disease was detected in a bird at a veterinary clinic in Redwood City in Alameda County late last week. Currently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA are not aware of any other cases in Northern California but are actively investigating.
The disease, first reported on May 17, 2018, in Los Angeles County, has led to the euthanasia of over one million backyard and commercial birds in Southern California. The latest detection brings the total to 403 cases of vND in California, including 123 in San Bernardino County, 236 in Riverside County, 42 in Los Angeles County, one in Ventura County, and one in Alameda County. USDA also confirmed one case in Utah County, Utah. Due to the threat to the state’s $2.5-billion poultry industry, poultry owners are prohibited from moving birds in Los Angeles County, as well as large areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Click here for more information about the areas under quarantine.
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