viral newcastle disease in california and utah

[bug_n_flock]

Confirmed case yesterday in california. Scary stuff.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/newcastle-in-utah-and-california.1288454/


Hope it is ok to post a thread on another forum, I wanted to get the info out and didn't want to retype everything people posted there... delete if not ok. Late at night and first time seeing this, didn't want anyone to put their birds at risk thru ignorance. If this is being carried by migratory birds.... /shudder.

 

[SailBoat]

Thank you for the heads-up. Newcastle disease has been background news for enough years that the general public has become unaware of it.

With the ever expanding joy of backyard chickens, this travel across North America could be faster and more expansive than its last wide spread outbreak.

North American migratory birds common are seen in California first.

Again ,Thank You!

 

[bug_n_flock]

Socal is under bird quarantine, they are talking about expanding to norcal. Mandatory flock euthanasia zones are being set up for people's backyard flocks of poultry. Many if not most of these birds are pets first, breackfast makers second. This is terrible.



And apparently there is a major issue with dissemination of information esp, to recent refugee communities. People are still moving their birds.


This is terrible.



More information: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/los-angeles-county-ca-under-bird-quarantine.1293980/

 

[bug_n_flock]

We have over 100 poultry on our farm, many of them free range. Most are baby chicks in the brooder, but they will be going out side soon too.

 

[Scott]

Thanks for posting, I wasn't aware of a SoCal outbreak until accessing the website of a vendor used for purchasing toys.

Affecting Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties: Home

 

[bug_n_flock]

Oh gosh. I hope they avoid this outbreak. I hope we all do. I am laid up with a broken foot atm, but my Fiancee is under strict orders to chase off ALL wild birds he sees near our poultry: cardinals, finches, and the ever determined to enter our far'm extended family wild turkeys. They keep coming up to our turkey pasture to say how do ya do to our hens. Our toms are less than pleased, and out little mixed breed rooster, George, tries *so hard* to chase them off, bless his heart. They are 4+ times his size, though, and don't really care about his flying jumpkicks.



Both for lessening the risk to our birds from the wild ones, and to protect the wild birds from our birds in case(god forbid) they end up contracting it from somewhere. We have bought and had chicks delivered this spring, and have another order coming from a hatchey in MO coming in June. Other than this I think we will be starting to close our flock until this danger has passed. No birds in. As far as possible, no people in. Especially no poultry people in.



Maybe its overkill, but I'd rather be some crazy paranoid nutter with healthy birds than the person who does too little too late. Newcastle is serious business, and affexts *all* types of birds. Even our beloved parrots.

 

[ChristaNL]

In situations like this there is no overkill in taking measures.
Good for you!


We've had a scare last year (would not be surprised if it is the same strain / genotype VII), but here and in Belgium all the commercially kept poultry has to be vaccinated anyway (by law).
It caused a huge stink because many people were not aware of the new vaccination protocols and only administered the one dosage, like in the old days.
(esp. the people with hobby-birds kind of panicked )

 

[bug_n_flock]

" Just spoke to my friend in the USDA after bringing her some fresh eggs. She said that wild birds can carry the disease on their bodies but not be affected and that’s how it can be spread. She said pigeons can contract vND. She is going back to California the first week of April. She also outlined their bio security measures: when doing block by block testing or depopulating each time they encounter birds they are wearing a sterile suit, after the birds are tested or euthanized they put on a new clean sterile suit. Also if a USDA worker comes across sick birds they are done for the day.
She also is sympathetic when it comes to euthanizing the birds that are pets. She says it’s hard when there are little children, but it’s best that they don’t see their beloved pets suffer.
She had a flock of chickens that were taken by a fox. After vND is eradicated in California I will be helping her start a new flock.
She also said that the USDA is not trying to be seen as the big bad government knocking on your door to euthanize your birds. They are doing this so that hopefully in a few months all of you will be able to get more birds. :hugs: "


From one of the threads I linked.


Edit: so probably best to keep parrots indoors as much as possible if you are near to the area.

 

[texsize]

I have a vet appointment for Saturday to have Bingo looked at.
Does this mean I should cancel?
What should I do?

 

[bug_n_flock]

I would at least call your vet and get their input. Is it "just" a wellness exam, or is something going on?

 

[texsize]

Bingo was acting a bit strange.
Perching in a different way. I have a photo but am at work and can't up load.
He would sit so his keel bone was sort of resting against his water dish, like he was using it to support or help him steady himself and turn his head around and tuck his beak under his wing.

But on Wednesday he had a huge fight with one of his toys. I haven't seen him so ... full of energy in a long time.

Was going to take him in for a blood test but it's not worth risking his life or the life of my entire flock. He could pick up something from another bird being seen there.
I already called the vet to cancel.

 

[bug_n_flock]

One place was reccommending wearing coveralls and stepping in bleach before going in to see your birds, spraying tires with lysol before driving on to the property. Think this is more for larger scale poultry farms, show bird breeders, etc etc etc. Still though, if they are saying to do this, and chicken vets are telling people to either not come or to leave any chickens in the car(tho the humans themselves would be infectious in this scenario, so idk what good that would do), then it is probably serious. I don't think I would take the risk either if my bord were acting otherwise fine except for sitting oddly. Was it just the one time?

 

[wrench13]

I was shocked o read that Newcastle disease virus is being used to treat certain type of cancer. Seems the virus invades the cell wall of cancer cells and takes them over, but does not reproduuce in that environment. Amazing

 

[texsize]

One place was reccommending wearing coveralls and stepping in bleach before going in to see your birds, spraying tires with lysol before driving on to the property. Think this is more for larger scale poultry farms, show bird breeders, etc etc etc. Still though, if they are saying to do this, and chicken vets are telling people to either not come or to leave any chickens in the car(tho the humans themselves would be infectious in this scenario, so idk what good that would do), then it is probably serious. I don't think I would take the risk either if my bord were acting otherwise fine except for sitting oddly. Was it just the one time?

HE has been sitting like that for a week/10 days. I would not have made the appointment if I was not concerned. HE does not sit like that all the time maybe 3 hours a day.
It's just weird. All my birds like to perch at the highest point they can.
It was just that I thought he might be doing it to help support himself.

When Plumas was within days of dying he would hold on to the bars of his cage with his beak to help hang on. Seeing Bingo sitting like he was reminded me of that.

other than the odd perch location everything else has been normal. Food, Poop, and activity.

Will try to upload a pick and a movie (Bingo attacking his toy) Saturday.
Seeing him so active playing with his toy makes me feel much better about his overall health. A sick bird just could NOT tear into a toy the way he was going at it.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Thanks for this thread and the posts. I learned a lot!
I just read about Newcastle's. Just horrible...

 

[ChristaNL]

My CAV's (when asked) just recommended to keep birds indoors or covered when outdoors/being transported and make sure insects could not get into the house.


We had more issues with the Usutuvirus the last few years than the NewCastle