History of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)
The last major outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) in California was eradicated and the CDFA and USDA ended the regional quarantines on September 16, 2003. However, CDFA retains the authority to monitor and test birds at poultry sale venues to prevent the introduction of highly contagious diseases such as END. For historical information about this past outbreak, click here
Brochures and Fact Sheets concerning Caged Birds and Disease Prevention
- Prevention Tips
- CDFA Publications
- USDA Publications
- Federal Register
- END Taskforce Documents
- Archived CDFA Press Releases
- Archived Documents
- "Papa" Lalo's Newcastle Disease Public Service Announcements
- Industry Information Links
Brochures and Fact Sheets concerning Caged Birds and Disease Prevention
Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting all species of birds. Considered one of the most infectious diseases of poultry in the world; END is so virulent that many birds die without showing any clinical signs, and a death rate of nearly 100 percent can occur.
Outbreaks of END severely affect the poultry industry. In 1971, a major outbreak occurred in commercial poultry flocks in Southern California. The disease threatened not only the California poultry industry but also the entire U.S. poultry and egg supply. In all, 1,341 infected flocks were identified, and almost 12 million birds were destroyed. The eradication program cost taxpayers $56 million, severely disrupted the operations of many producers, and increased the prices of poultry and poultry products to consumers.
The last major outbreak of END, now eradicated, was confirmed on October 1, 2002 in backyard poultry in Southern California. The Governor of California declared a State of Emergency, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared an Extraordinary Emergency, and San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties declared local emergencies. END affected backyard poultry in California, Arizona and Nevada, and commercial operations in California has now spread beyond backyard poultry to affect commercial operations in California. All birds in Southern California were quarantined; birds, bird products, or END-exposed materials could not be moved from the area without a USDA permit. The eradication effort involved over 1500 people.
Prevention Tips
- USDA Newcastle Homepage
-
Newcastle Guidelines
(English) (Spanish) -
USDA Good Neighbors Protect Poultry (poster)
(English) (Spanish) -
USDA How Poultry Disease Spreads (Handout)
(English) (Spanish) -
USDA Exotic Newcastle Disease leaflet
(English) (Spanish)
CDFA Publications
- Precedential Decisions – March 19, 2003 (PDF 66 KB)
- Information for Neighbors near Affected Premises December 2002 (PDF 115 KB)
- Fact Sheet: Biosecurity Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease – Information for Bird Owners (PDF 81KB)
- Biosecurity Footbaths for Exotic Newcastle Disease – Information for Bird Owners (PDF 65KB)
- Fact Sheet: Exotic Newcastle Disease in Caged (Exotic) Birds – Information for Bird Owners – January 7, 2003 (PDF 76 KB)
- Map of Newcastle Outbreak: (CDFA_071503)
USDA Publications
- Fact Sheet: Exotic Newcastle Disease
- "Enfermedad exótica de Newcastle"
- Exotic Newcastle Disease in Game Fowl, United States–Impact Worksheet, October 9, 2002
- "Velogenic Viscerotropic Newcastle Disease" (PDF 169 KB)
- "Enfermedad de Newcastle velogénico viscerotrópico" (PDF 154 KB)
- USDA Exotic Newcastle Disease Home Page
- USDA Animal Disease Alert February 2003
Federal Register
- Federal Register – Exotic Newcastle Disease; Designation of Quarantined Area – effective Nov 21, 2002
- Federal Declaration Text of Extraordinary Emergency:
- Federal Register Text of APHIS Quarantined Areas:
- Federal Register Text of areas removed from Quarantine:
- Federal Register Text of reduction in Quarantine Area:
END Taskforce Documents
Archived CDFA Press Releases
- CDFA 10/03/02 Newcastle Outbreak Detected
- CDFA 12/30/02 Exotic Newcastle Disease – Regional Quarantine Expands to San Diego and Orange Counties More Commercial Poultry Facilities Identified with Exotic Newcastle Disease
- CDFA 01/08/03 Quarantine Boundaries Expanded
- CDFA 01/15/03 Exotic Newcastle Disease Eradication: A Multi–Agency Challenge
- Governor Davis Declares END Emergency 01/08/03
- CDFA 03/19/03 Poultry Exhibit Ban Now Statewide
- CDFA 02/13/03 Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force Expands Opportunities for Home Quarantine and Isolation for Caged Birds
- CDFA 03/03/03 Exotic Newcastle Disease Task Force to begin Central Valley Surveillance Program
- CDFA 06/05/03 Secretary Lyons Recognizes Baja California For Commitment In Fight Against Exotic Newcastle Disease
- USDA 09/16/03 Lifts Quarantine Restrictions for Exotic Newcastle Disease in California
- CDFA 09/16/03 California Free of Exotic Newcastle Disease
- CDFA 09/24/03 State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer Honored with Poultry Industry Award
Archived Documents
- Notice of State Quarantine Affecting Bird Owners : Effective March 17, 2003 (PDF 23 KB)
- Map: Former END Quarantine Boundary, as of August 4, 2003
- Map of Newcastle Outbreak:
- Immature Poultry Compliance Agreement
- Pigeon Race Compliance Agreement
- Comparing State and Federal Quarantines, March 21, 2003
- Newcastle Quarantine expanded to part of Kern County May 13, 2003 (PDF 64 KB)
- Map (GIF 53 KB)
- Notice of Regional Quarantine Affecting Bird Owners: In Effect January 7, 2003 (PDF 80 KB)
- Map March 17, 2003 (GIF 72 KB)
- State Statements and Links
- Letter to Veterinary Colleagues February 7, 2003 (PDF 75 KB)
