California Issues Quarantine Due to Newcastle Disease

Due to Virulent Newcastle Disease, the state of California has issued a quarantine and will no longer allow shipments of live poultry, hatching eggs or embryonated eggs in or out of these zip codes 90000-93599. These zip codes include areas of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Sierra Coastal. Unfortunately, New Castle Disease has been plaguing California since May of 2018, and the number of euthanized birds will soon be over a million. The state of California has been working feverishly to stop the disease in southern California. They have restricted movement of all birds in these areas and require reporting of all sick birds.

Since May 2018 there have been 409 cases reported in California and one case in Utah. The disease is so virulent, that many times poultry will die without showing any symptoms of Newcastle Disease.  It is one of the most devastating poultry diseases in the world and kills almost 100% of an unvaccinated poultry flock and if an infected bird spreads the disease to a vaccinated flock, the disease is capable of killing them too. The disease can be transmitted via live poultry, eggs, clothing and equipment that come in contact with the disease.

From USDA

All bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials right away, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

For more information about biosecurity practices, visit USDA’s Defend the Flock website.

For More Information on Virulent New Castle Disease click here: