There have been about 10 cases of confirmed Newcastle disease in birds in San Bernardino county and Los Angeles. Newcastle is highly contagious and what happened in the early 2000s last time there was an outbreak is the USDA went through and if there was a confined case they went around and euthanized every single pet chicken, duck, hawk, parrot, etc. they could locate within a certain mile radius. It is incredibly important that you keep an eye out and NOT bring new birds from California or affected areas or let anyone from those areas near your birds! Limiting contact with wild birds helps, but it’s kind of impossible with outdoor enclosures. We have to hope it doesn’t come to Las Vegas. Below is the article directly from the USDA site. Link to original article

From the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Virulent Newcastle Disease
Last Modified: Jun 4, 2018

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND), formerly known as Exotic Newcastle Disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry. The disease is so virulent that many birds and poultry die without showing any clinical signs.

vND is not a food safety concern.  No human cases of Newcastle disease have ever occurred from eating poultry products.  Properly cooked poultry products are safe to eat.  In very rare instances people working directly with sick birds can become infected with mild symptoms.

vND has not been found in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2003.

Since May 18, USDA has confirmed several cases of vND in backyard birds in California:

May 17, 2018	California	Los Angeles County	Backyard exhibition chickens
May 24, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens, doves, and Psittacines
May 26, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 26, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 26, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 26, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 30, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 30, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
May 30, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens
June 1, 2018	California	San Bernardino County	Backyard chickens

How You Can Help

It is essential that all bird owners follow good biosecurity practices to help protect their birds from infectious diseases.  These simple steps include:

• • Washing hands and scrubbing boots before and after entering an area with birds;
  • Cleaning and disinfecting tires and equipment before moving them off the property; and
  • Isolating any birds returning from shows for 30 days before placing them with the rest of the flock.

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

 

Additional articles about the disease:

Petcoach – Newcastle Disease in Birds: Causes, Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Wikipedia – Newcastle disease