Exotic Newcastle Disease Information
Disease Description
Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) is a highly contageous and fatal viral disease affecting all species of birds. END is so deadly and fast-acting that many birds die without showing any symptoms if illness. END does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect the safety of poultry and egg products.
What Placer County Is Doing
As best officials know now, END is not present in Placer County. However, the Placer County Agriculture Department has an active public outreach and education program, so residents learn of the dangers of END. There is also a hotline number, 1-800-491-1899, if you have any questions about your birds' health or the health of a neighbor's birds.
It's very important to prevent the spread of END. To help bird owners learn about the disease, Agricultural Department staff will begin doing door-to-door surveys and distributing information in the county. This will help bird owners learn more about early disease detection and how to report suspected cases of END. Staff will also talk with residents about the health of their birds.
Protecting Bird Health
Free veterinary health checks of birds are available. Also, bird owners are asked to take these precautions to protect birds:
- Check your birds daily for signs of illness and call the END hotline - 1-800-491-1899 - immediately if they become ill.
- Keep your birds at home. Do not move them to any other location.
- Avoid visiting events or locations where live poultry may be present. The disease can be easily carried back to your birds.
- Money is available to buy flocks diagnosed with this disease, so it's very important to have the free laboratory tests if you suspect your birds have END.
Signs of the Disease
These are signs that a bird could have END:
- Sneezing, coughing and gasping for air
- Nasal discharge
- Greenish, watery diarrhea
- Depression, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of the head and neck, complete paralysis
- Drop in egg production and thin-shelled eggs
- Swelling around the eyes and in the neck
- Sudden death
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