Chicken Disease Found In Southern California Properties

LOS ANGELES, CA -- More than 1,700 properties in California have been placed under quarantines after a viral chicken disease has spread, state health officials said recently. The Virulent Newcastle Disease was found on 65 properties in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture said teams have visited more than 73,000 properties. The disease mostly travels through the movement of infected poultry or on the hands and feet of people that came into contact with infected poultry or their droppings, officials said.

"Even though the disease has not been detected at commercial poultry operations, several of them are under quarantine due to their proximity to infected premises, as a safeguard," officials said in a press release.

Officials have shared information with chicken owners how to prevent the disease from spreading to other properties.

"This effort includes visits to farmers’ markets, feed stores, veterinary clinics and egg sellers; as well as ongoing communications with bird clubs and 4H groups and weekend visits to church services in the affected areas," the press release said.

Bird owners in Southern California are urged to practice the following measures to prevent the spread of the

As this work continues bird owners everywhere, but especially in Southern California, are urged to Virulent Newcastle Disease:

1. Don’t move birds
2. Don’t bring new birds to the property
3. Don’t let people with birds come into contact with your birds.

Anyone who has a sick bird is urged to call 866-922-2473. For more information, go to CDFA’s VND web page.

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