Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 6/19/18


USDA has confirmed at least 18 outbreaks of Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) among backyard chickens in southern California since mid-May, although no commercial chickens have been affected so far.

The agency’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that infected backyard exhibition chickens were found in Los Angeles and San Bernardino, Calif., starting May 17 through June 14. The highly contagious viral disease affects the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry and many affected birds die without showing any clinical signs of vND.

APHIS added that no vND has been found in U.S. commercial poultry since 2003, when outbreaks were reported in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. The agency is recommending that all bird owners practice solid biosecurity practices to protect their flocks from infectious diseases, adding that vND is not a food safety concern and no human cases of the disease have occurred from eating properly cooked poultry products.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.