SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture have announced an end to the Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) quarantine. Extensive
testing of the regulated area has been completed, with no additional detections of the disease.
The state and federal quarantines originally encompassed 46,000
square miles, which included the following counties:
Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego,
Ventura, and a small southeastern corner of Kern County. On August 4, 2003, all but 7,300 square
miles of the quarantine was released. This latest action lifts the regional quarantine in
California and once again permits poultry exhibitions. However, CDFA retains the authority to
monitor and test at poultry sale venues and exhibition venues in an effort to prevent the
introduction of highly contagious poultry diseases such as END.
"We have eagerly anticipated this day and are extremely proud of the
tireless work of the Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force," said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J.
Lyons, Jr. "We relied on the expertise of CDFA veterinarians and other staff, as well as
veterinarians from the USDA and from Baja California. We also greatly appreciate the
contributions from other state, federal and local agencies, and the state of the art capabilities
of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab at the University of California. Many
government agencies and thousands of people contributed to an expeditious and successful
conclusion of this program."
The initial cases of Exotic Newcastle Disease were detected last
fall. By winter, the disease had spread to commercial poultry operations in Southern California.
In January, California Governor Gray Davis declared a state of emergency. The outbreak cost more
than $160 million to fight and resulted in the depopulation of more than 3 million birds.
To guard against the risk of subsequent outbreaks, especially in the
high-risk fall months, CDFA has activated an ongoing monitoring program. All backyard poultry
owners and commercial operations are encouraged to practice biosecurity measures to help prevent
the introduction of disease when people enter or depart the premises, to routinely check birds
for signs of illness, and to report any incidence of suspected END or other bird diseases. More
information is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov or through the
END information line, 1-800-491-1899.
Editors’ Note- CDFA and USDA
representatives will be available via conference call at 3 p.m. today to discuss the lifting of
the quarantine. The number is 1-866-453-9084. The pass code is 340726.
-30-
1220 N Street, Suite 428. Sacramento, California 95814.
