Virulent Newcastle Disease

[paul-inAZ]

Today's semi-annual bird mart in Phoenix was cancelled as a precaution against the spread of Virulent Newcastle Disease. There are numerous outbreaks of this in California, notably Los Angeles County ~which is now under quarantine~ in addition to isolated reports in Arizona and other western states.
This is not just a disease of poultry but virtually all domestic and wild birds are susceptible. Migrating wild birds can spread it.

There is no treatment for it.

Worth being aware of it if you are planning on bringing any birds into your aviaries. Check with authorities such as the Dept of Agriculture to see if there are cases of the disease in whatever area you are bringing a bird from. Specially if the seller has outdoor aviaries with exposure to wild birds.

[Icearstorm]

paul-inAZ

It would be good if the poultry vaccine works for other birds, although more research is probably needed. It is quite cheap, so it might be a future option for other birds: Newcastle Vaccine: 5000 Dose

[wildbird]

Thanks Paul-inAZ and Icearstorm for the information.

[Dave]

Pigeon keepers have a disease they call Newcastle disease, but it isn't clear to me if it is the same strain we're talking about here.

In this country, (USA), they treat with a vaccine. https://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/medi ... in-vaccine It has to be used every 4-6 weeks.
Racing and show pigeons are subject to this disease because they come together for races / shows.

In Australia, there in an injectable vaccine for this purpose, but we're not allowed to import that vaccine into this country.

Again, I'm not sure that the Newcastle disease the pigeon keepers talk about is the same one that commercial poultry growers talk about.

[paul-inAZ]

From what I've read there are 3 strains of Newcastle. These range from a very mild form to one that used to be called "extreme' whose first symptom is usually death.

[Icearstorm]

wildbird

You're welcome!

[Icearstorm]

Dave

That's quite often. Most the animal vaccines I'm used to are just once or once or twice per year, but I guess pigeons travel farther than most livestock. Since many pet birds are kept in relative isolation from wild birds, they probably don't need treatment as often (maybe only need to vaccinate new ones during quarantine).

[Icearstorm]

paul-inAZ

Interesting. It looks like the poultry vaccine covers two strains.

[paul-inAZ]

(maybe only need to vaccinate new ones during quarantine).

I saw [somewhere] that it is not advisable to use vaccines during quarantine of imports because that would confuse any testing and can lead to an asymptomatic carrier state.

[Icearstorm]

paul-inAZ

Hmm, maybe they'd have to be vaccinated after you've ran whatever tests you feel like and added to the established flock once it is vaccinated too. Or just don't bother if your birds are indoors and far away from outbreak zones, since it should be able to be done later if circumstances change. I haven't heard of vaccinated carriers being a problem in pet birds before, although I have heard of shedding in other animals that are administered certain live viruses, so I guess it makes sense.

[Dave]

Just another wrinkle here: in Minnesota, they proved that poultry viruses spread from farm to farm via wind-blown dust.

[isobea]

We talked about Newcastle disease at our last bird club meeting and it seems that at least early on it was mostly connected to illegal cock fighting in the LA and Orange counties. Here, the big Pomona bird mart was also cancelled as well as a bird mart that had been planned by the local clubs for fall of 2018.
Iso