Utah
Bans Importation of Las Vegas, Nevada and Southern California Birds
In an effort to
prevent the spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease in poultry, the Utah
Department of Agriculture and Food has issued a ban on the importation
of all poultry and other birds originating in or passing through certain
areas of Nevada and Southern California. This deadly avian disease,
which does not affect humans, was recently diagnosed in backyard poultry
in Las Vegas (Clark County).
A federal quarantine now exists for the following counties: Los Angeles,
San Bernadino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Ventura, Santa
Barbara, and Clark (Nevada).
Utah will not accept shipments of eggs, chicks, pullets, adult poultry,
game birds, or caged birds from the quarantine areas and the enlarged
surrounding area of southern California, and southern Nevada.
The importation ban applies to all live poultry, game birds, hatching
eggs, and birds customarily used for household pets from southern California
and southern Nevada or that have transited through those areas.
"The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is extremely concerned
with the possibility of disease transmission by undeclared transportation
of birds, eggs, or equipment from the quarantine areas to Utah,"
said Dr. Michael Marshall, State Veterinarian.
The UDAF appeals
to the Utah poultry industry, at all levels, and to the public, to implement
the following precautions:
1. Do not accept, purchase, or transport birds, eggs, or equipment from
non-approved or unknown sources. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
and a prior Entry Permit is required for interstate movement of all
poultry to Utah. All vehicles transporting poultry and other livestock
across state lines are required to stop at the Port of Entry.
2. Do not visit poultry premises in the quarantine area.
3. Implement bio-security measures for your own premise including visitor
restrictions, disinfection procedures, and screening of employees who
may have contact with other types of poultry, including game birds.
4. Avoid events where commingling of birds will take place such as swap
meets, exhibitions, fairs, cock fights, etc. Do not bring birds home
from such events.
The disease is not
considered a threat to human health, although persons who handle infected
birds may experience conjunctivitis. Meat and eggs in the marketplace
do not pose a risk to humans. The disease can affect most species of
birds, including caged birds and game birds. The causative agent is
a virus and can persist in the feces for long periods of time. Some
bird species (parrots and some wild birds) may be carriers of the virus.
Symptoms exhibited
by infected birds include greenish watery diarrhea, respiratory symptoms,
conjunctivitis, loss of egg production, and nervous symptoms such as
drooping wings, dragging legs, twisted necks, circling, depression and
paralysis. Death loss can be as high as 90% in affected flocks. Producers
who experience abnormal death loss or sudden declines in egg production
should immediately notify the State Veterinarian at 801-538-7161.
This disease can
cause 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 outbreak could prove very difficult to contain and quick eradication
will be a problem. The economic consequences are already far-reaching,
and are not limited to southern California. Many states and countries
are refusing to accept poultry and poultry products from California
and, in some instances, from the USA.
Federal and state resources are being diverted from other important
programs. Failure to prevent the entry of this disease to Utah could
devastate the various poultry industries of the state. Anyone found
to be in violation of Utah import requirements could face severe penalties,
including citation and fines up to $5,000. Thank you for your cooperation
in our effort to contain this serious threat to the nation's poultry
industry.
All poultry and bird keepers are asked to report any signs of disease
consistent with Exotic Newcastle Disease to the UDAF Division of Animal
Industry at 801-538-7160.
For more information about Newcastle disease, visit the following web
sites:
California Department of Agriculture and Food information
page
USDA APHIS Exotic
Newcastle Disease information
page
