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Colo. braces for bird disease afflicting 3 Western states

By Ann Schrader Denver Post Staff Writer

Monday, February 10, 2003 - A bird disease that sweeps through poultry flocks with deadly precision has struck three Western states, causing U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to declare an extraordinary emergency. Fearing the spread of exotic Newcastle disease to Colorado, state agricultural officials are plotting strategy in case it shows up here. "It's frightening to have a highly contagious disease like that with such a high mortality," said Colorado state veterinarian Wayne Cunningham. "With the eradication of brucellosis and tuberculosis, it's been a long time since we've had any kind of highly contagious disease here." The viral disease attacks all kinds of birds, from chickens and turkeys to parakeets and parrots. Sometimes the only symptom is death, which is nearly certain if a bird is infected. Public health officials say Newcastle disease is not a threat to people, although it can cause minor symptoms such as pink eye. It also does not affect the safety of poultry or eggs. However, it can devastate the poultry industry. A 1971 outbreak in California threatened the whole U.S. poultry supply. There are vaccines for Newcastle, but they protect only against lighter strains. "This is a hot one," said Dave Anderson, a Loveland-area veterinarian who works with the poultry industry. Anderson said commercial operations have instructed employees on precautions, and many require showers before and after entering a poultry facility. Prevention is emphasized, since the only way to stop Newcastle disease is to kill high-risk, exposed and infected birds. The viral disease is spread by direct contact between a healthy bird and an infected bird's droppings and secretions, or on people's shoes and clothes. On Oct. 1, the disease was confirmed in backyard poultry flocks in Southern California, prompting the killing of nearly 2 million chickens. On Jan. 16, the disease was found in Nevada. On Wednesday, it arrived in Arizona. Cases in each state began in backyard flocks, which people keep for showing as a hobby, for food or for cockfighting. Two weeks ago, two cockfighting operations in Weld County were discovered. Cunningham is concerned that Newcastle could be spread if cockfighting birds are moved secretly from quarantine areas. Cunningham said the emphasis will be on detecting the disease and not on apprehending cockfighters. With 4.78 million chickens and more than 948 million eggs produced in Colorado last year, state agriculture officials have developed an education and surveillance plan. Fliers will be distributed this week at feed stores and Cooperative Extension offices. Public service announcements, in English and Spanish, have been sent to urban and rural radio stations. Veterinarians have been notified, and those who work for large commercial operations are part of a Newcastle committee that the state has formed. People with dead birds, from pet shop owners to those with backyard flocks, are asked to take the bodies to designated Cooperative Extension agents to have them tested at no charge. State and federal veterinarians from Colorado are being sent to California to assist in controlling Newcastle and to learn procedures. A declaration of a state of emergency is being prepared for Gov. Bill Owens to sign if Newcastle is confirmed in Colorado. Such a declaration would allow resources to be made available. Many other states are taking similar actions, Cunningham said. Like Colorado, they are not accepting any birds from quarantined areas. Fatal, virulent Newcastle often shows no symptoms Newcastle disease is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting all species of birds. The disease is so virulent that many birds die without symptoms. A death rate of almost 100 percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks, and can infect and cause death even in vaccinated poultry. Symptoms Respiratory: sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing. Digestive: greenish, watery diarrhea. Nervous system: tremors, drooping wings, head and neck twisting, circling, complete paralysis. Egg production: thin-shelled eggs, partial to complete drop in egg production. Other: swelling of tissue around eyes, neck; sudden death; increased deaths in a flock. How it spreads The disease is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy birds and the bodily discharges of infected birds. Virus-laden material can be picked up on shoes and clothing and carried from an infected flock to a healthy one. The virus can survive several weeks in a warm and humid environment on feathers, manure and other materials. It also can survive indefinitely in frozen material but is destroyed rapidly by dehydration and by sunlight. How to control, prevent it To eradicate the disease, all infected flocks must be rapidly destroyed, and quarantines and surveillance must be imposed. Poultry producers should strengthen biosecurity practices to prevent introduction of the disease. Pet-bird owners should stay away from poultry farms and avoid mingling birds at shows. If a bird is sick or dies Call the Colorado state veterinarian's office, 303-239-4161, or the regional U.S. Department of Agriculture, 303-231-5386.

 

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E53%257E1169464%257E,00.html

 

 

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Hi. It's Alan Schnepf again, the reporter for the San Bernardino Sun (Southern Calif.), looking for cockers who will talk to me about exotic Newcastle disease.

My last pitch -- a flop -- has lapsed off the board, but I want everybody to know I'm still very interested in talking to Cockers about END.

In the meantime, I thought people would be interested in the story I've posted below from the Modesto Bee. I don't want to say "I told you so," but I guess I will a little bit here.

A lot of people here got angry with me when I said a lot of the official word that is spreading is blaming cockfighters for the spread of END. Please realize that I'm not saying this personally; It's just what some sources are saying. In this case, it's only a two-source story, which is considered weak by normal journalistic standards.

At the same time, I can sympathize with the writer in that it's difficult to get people to speak with candor about the disease. To say the USDA and CDFA have not been forthcoming with information about the END outbreak is a huge understatement. I subjectively believe the government errs with its policy of secrecy. It's creating a lot of mistrust in the poultry/egg industry.

I assume that many cockers will have strong reactions to this story. And the reason I'm writing all this is that I'm receptive to hearing those reactions. I'm not trying to get on a high horse, I'm just trying to do my job. You know, get all sides of the story. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, the Gamefowl people are not getting their side of it out there. The net effect is getting villified for it.

I realize the folly of asking to get into a fight before and know that there's a lot of trust to be built before it could even be a possibility. But I've gotta start somewhere and I figure this is a good place.

Also, Gamefowl Fan, I'm not sure the logistics of my yard would work for raising a few chicks (GFF said I should raise chicks to get a better sense of how gamefowl is labor of love for most cockers). I just don't think there's enough space to do it. And it's all concrete, except for my landlady's coop, so there wouldn't be anywhere for them to peck and scratch. I assume this would make them very unhappy.

Thanks for reading and here's my contact info.:

Alan Schnepf
909.335.9520
alan.schnepf@sbsun.com



By RICHARD T. ESTRADA
BEE STAFF WRITER

The moment the roosters are released, they flap their wings wildly and attack. With sharpened razors tied to their claws, the well-trained birds slash into each other, sending blood spurting.

Such fights don't end until one bird is too weak to go on. It usually dies and is tossed into a hole, joining the day's other losers.

Merced County is a popular spot for the battles, and officials are concerned that an outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease could result.

The state's $3.2 billion poultry industry says cockfighting has played a role in spreading the disease, which has led to the deaths of more than 2 million chickens in California.

"The fighting birds are moved around the state without regard to quarantines," said Bill Mattos, president of the Modesto-based California Poultry Federation. "They don't go to veterinarians. They're not vacci-nated."

That concern is echoed by the state Department of Food and Agriculture and valley law enforcement, which say cockfighting is growing in popularity despite being illegal since 1905.

"We've done several seizures at cockfights and found sick birds," said Frank Swiggart a detective with the Merced County Sheriff's Department. "When we've had them checked, it turns out they're carrying diseases."

That worries officials because Merced County is home to Foster Farms Poultry. The Livingston-based company produces more than 90 percent of California's chicken meat.

Newcastle hasn't been found in the valley, but officials say it only takes one bird to bring it in.

Spread is rapid

Newcastle doesn't only kill the birds it infects; it forces the destruction of any birds in the vicinity. The disease spreads rapidly and can infect an entire barn before the first bird shows any sign of sickness.

Newcastle and cockfighting have been hot topics in the valley's agricultural community since the first case was confirmed in October, in six backyard flocks in Los Angeles.

Some of those flocks had hens for laying eggs, state ag officials said. Other flocks had roosters, the type used for cockfighting.

Officials believe cockfighting is one reason Newcastle spread swiftly in Southern California, despite a quarantine. It was recently found in backyard flocks in Nevada and Arizona.

Ag inspectors have yet to identify how Newcastle was brought to those out-of-state flocks, but law enforcement has an idea.

"We'll raid a fight in Merced County and find people from Nevada, New Mexico, Mexico, Arizona and Southern California," Swiggart said. "They bring birds to fight and take the survivors home. Dead ones are left here."

The roosters could bring Newcastle with them, Mattos said, or could be infected by another bird and carry the disease home.

A highly contagious, virulent disease, Newcastle is harmless to humans but a death sentence to poultry, including chickens, turkeys, squab and game birds.

"It could be devastating for the poultry industry if Newcastle was found in the valley," Mattos said. "Foster Farms alone has about 14,000 employees. The economic damage created by an illegal cockfight could be terrible."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reimburses commercial producers for the value of their birds, but there is no compensation for sales lost when foreign markets ban California poultry.

While it's illegal to raise roosters for fighting, it can be difficult to prove that's what the birds will be used for, Swiggart said.

"These guys have two to 400 roosters, on the pretext of raising show birds," Swiggart said. "They're tied to stakes, in the open, and go through a training regimen to make them fighters."

It's also illegal to watch or take part in a cockfight, as well as to possess the artificial spurs -- called gaffs and slashers -- the birds use to attack each other.

Trainers disregard law

That hasn't stopped the activity, however. Swiggart noted that Delhi, Winton and other rural areas of Merced County are well known for fighting cocks.

Cockfighting played a role in the spread of Newcastle in 1971. An outbreak led to the deaths of 12 million chickens in California, and the government spent $56 million eradicating the disease.

In Southern California, the eight-county region is under quarantine, prohibiting poultry from leaving the area.

Since cockfighting is illegal, poultry officials and law enforcement don't expect their trainers to follow the law.

"Fighting cocks pose the greatest problem because they move from one place to another and can carry the disease," Mattos said. "They're not going to announce they're taking a bird into the next state for a cockfight."

 

Source: http://pub113.ezboard.com/fthepitmasterfrm0.showMessage?topicID=2310.topic

 

 

RICHARD T. ESTRADA

 

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From Texas Animal Interest Network: This bill isn't about veterinarians.  It's about the animal rights movement taking away our property rights as animal *owners* and legislating us as *guardians.*  Dogs and cats today, who's next?  The extremists are attempting to establish law eliminating all use of animals.  Rhode Island has already passed such a law.  Thanks for caring, MB   **********************************************************   http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E61%257E1168140%257E,00.html   legislature 2003

Fur flies on elevating pets' status

Owners could sue for emotional loss

By Julia C. Martinez Denver Post Capitol Bureau

Sunday, February 09, 2003 - In a state where pets are akin to children in some households, landmark legislation would elevate the status of cats and dogs in Colorado from mere property to companions. The Republican-sponsored measure, which has drawn national attention, would allow people to sue veterinarians and animal abusers and seek damages for "loss of companionship" up to $100,000. Colorado has more than 2 million dogs and cats in 1.6 million households and is viewed as one of the nation's pet-friendliest states. Under current law, they are classified as property and pet owners can seek only "fair market value" in a lawsuit. But the proposed law would recognize the emotional suffering that occurs at the death or injury of a pet, laying the foundation for elevating their status to companions, supporters say. "It would be the first of its kind in the nation," said lawyer Josh Pazour, who recently conducted a nationwide review of laws relating to companion animals in preparation for the bill's introduction. Veterinarians are adamantly opposed to the measure, which they say will increase the cost of veterinary medical care. "Veterinarians will have to pass on to consumers the increased costs of doing businesses, including time spent responding to frivolous lawsuits and additional diagnostic tests that will now be required to practice defensive medicine," the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association said in a statement to its members. Colorado is among 14 states with a law recognizing dogs and cats as beneficiaries and allowing people to leave money and other property to their pets, which is more than what most other states have. Supporters of the new proposal say the current trust law supports the underlying legal claim of House Bill 1260 that some pet animals are more than property. "If you can leave something to your animal, they're obviously a status beyond property," said Rep. Mark Cloer, R-Colorado Springs, the chief House sponsor of the measure. "You don't leave your assets to your color television." Retired financial planner Jim Schwartz of Centennial is the primary force behind the measure. His 11-year-old poodle Moolah had to be euthanized after falling ill following her annual rabies vaccination. "This is watershed, this is landmark legislation," said Schwartz, who started Next-To-Kin Foundation to advocate for dogs, cats and their owners and eliminate unnecessary vaccinations. "They've gone from the backyard to the bedroom. In this legislation, we're recognizing what is, not what should be." In addition to Cloer, Senate President John Andrews, R-Centennial, and Senate President Pro Tem Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, are sponsoring the legislation. The three sponsors are owners or former owners of dogs and cats. "Anybody that would equate an animal that lives with you at home to property, seems to me that's heartless and clueless," said Andrews, noting he once had three Brittany spaniels, J.R., Dolly and Mustache, who have gone to the great fire hydrant in the sky after full lives. "You can't possibly equate them." Andrews admits he voted against legislation in the past two years that increased criminal penalties for animal cruelty. But he said the current proposal is different. "When you have a chance to hold the veterinary profession to a higher ethical standard in the courts, it is different from criminalizing things," he said. Chlouber is the chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate. "Anybody that would consider their pets property, I don't think they deserve to have them," said Chlouber, who is grieving the loss of his two Labradors last year. The bill would prohibit veterinarians from administering any vaccine more frequently than recommended by experts. The legislation is expected to be debated soon in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, where it could face a tough challenge from Republicans who traditionally oppose legislation that would increase the ability of consumers to bring lawsuits. "It's kind of novel to have Republicans doing pain-and-suffering kinds of things," said Democratic Sen. Doug Linkhart of Denver. "They don't usually support those kinds of bills. They usually try to limit lawsuits. ... Democrats are the ones often on the side of consumers' ability to sue." Gov. Bill Owens declined to say whether he would sign such legislation if it reaches his desk, but added with a laugh, "Hannah is very much in favor of House Bill 1260." Hannah is the governor's 7-year-old springer spaniel. Sen. Steve Johnson, a licensed veterinarian from Fort Collins, said he doubts the bill will survive House scrutiny. But if it does, he said, he will oppose it in the Senate. "If you elevate their status, it will complicate the client-veterinarian relationship," he said. "If the pet is elevated, do I then question the owner (about their decisions)? It's now a three-way relationship." Johnson said he believes that toughening criminal penalties for animal cruelty is a better way to go. Andrews admits he is not keen on lawsuits but will amend the legislation in the Senate to cap the allowable damages at under $100,000. Although only about 10 pet-related cases nationwide in the past five years have been awarded emotional damages, more judges are taking the claims seriously, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Pazour said that fears of large damage awards are unfounded. Nationwide, few have exceeded $20,000, he said. The Colorado bill also requires that lawsuits first go to arbitration before proceeding to the courts. Andrews said he hopes the legislation passes. "This bill makes sense to me. It's a reasonable opportunity to recover damages from veterinary malpractice. It's sort of in memory of J.R., Dolly and Mustache and how much they meant, especially to our children growing up," Andrews said.

---

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: "ProMED-mail" <promed@promed.isid.harvard.edu>

Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA) (07)

 

NEWCASTLE DISEASE, GAME FOWL, POULTRY - USA (CA) (07)
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail, a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 10 Feb 2003
From: Julia Allen, PhD, DVM <DrJNA@worldnet.att.net>


The recent ProMED posting on the game bird (cockfighting) industry in
California reinforces the comments made previously by Dr Richard
Breitmeyer of the California Department of Food and Agriculture
(ProMED 6 Feb 03), i.e., that END will certainly be maintained as an
endemic disease in the backyard and game-fowl population in
California and elsewhere.

Law enforcement has not been able to eliminate or even reduce the
popularity of cockfighting in the 98 years of having legislation on
the books. Therefore it is not likely that they will be able to do so
now, even in the face of a disease crisis. When I worked on Saipan -
where cockfighting is legal - it was big business, very big business,
especially the betting. I suspect the same is true here.

Therefore, continuing to pursue a "traditional" program of detection
and slaughter to control a disease which is present in a population
of animals that is used for illegal activity, would seem to be
ignoring reality. (Please note, I am opposed to cockfighting and do
think it should be eliminated.)

In light of this, has there been any movement on the part of the
poultry industry or the regulatory agencies toward using quarantine,
limited depletion, and intensified vaccination as recommended by Dr
Breitmeyer?

Actually, I would put biosecurity at the top of the list of things to
do.  I worked in England for 60 days on the Foot and Mouth Disease
outbreak in 2001.  Those farmers that appealed their depopulation
orders and won their appeal, did so based on their demonstrable
biosecurity measures. None of those farms became infected, and some
were eventually the only ones left in a landscape devoid of livestock.

Regulatory agency resources might be better utilized to assess,
recommend, and supervise (i.e., enforce) farm-level biosecurity.   Be
it END, foot and mouth disease, or anything else for that matter,
strict and ongoing biosecurity programs aimed at preventing the
movement of disease agents to or from a farm are critical for the
survival of animal agriculture in the 21st century.

--
Julia N Allen, PhD, DVM
Emergency Management Animal Services
Seattle WA 98199 USA
<DrJNA@att.net>

[Dr. Allen's letter highlights the need for other measures, such as
education of the animal owners, or perhaps trainers and fighters. To
that end, the following article from the Ponca City News follows
appropriately. Lastly, there are the questions regarding
vaccinations/quarantines, which are addressed later in this post
through an inquiry and response from the USDA. - Mod.TG]

******
[2]
Date: 10 Feb 2003
From: Humanitarian Resources Institute, Stephen Apatow
<s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net
Source: Ponca City News [edited]
<http://www.poncacitynews.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=37605?Local_News>


Lack of Reporting Complicates Outbreak of Foreign  Diseases
--------------------
It appears reports associated with the foreign animal disease
outbreak of Newcastle Disease in California and Nevada were
complicated by non-commercial animal owners who did not take their
birds to vets or a lab until after hundreds in the general [bird]
population died.

This is said to be one of the factors that inhibited a rapid
diagnosis, complicating the scope of containment and control of the
outbreak. Education initiatives that target non-commercial animal
owners represent a significant need nationwide. This is especially
important in  the context of bioterrorism, agricultural security, and
emergency preparedness (Agricultural Security and Emergency
Preparedness:
Protecting One of America's Critical Infrastructures:
<http://www.humanitarian.net /biodefense/papers/ASEP-2001-12.html>

In the case of New Castle Disease, if an outbreak is not defined in
its early stages, complex variables could accompany the infectious
agent being firmly established prior to its recognition.
(APHIS Fact Sheet:
<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahend.html>)

The seriousness of this discussion has been demonstrated by the rapid
demographic spread of West Nile Virus throughout North America via
migratory bird patterns (CDC: Migratory Birds and Spread of West Nile
Virus in the Western Hemisphere:
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol6no4/rappole.htm>
USGS - Principle Migratory Routes from North  America:
<http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/migratio/routes.htm>.

In the case of Newcastle Disease, Psittacines and other birds can be
reservoirs of infection and can continue to excrete virus for up to
12 months after recovering from clinical disease.

NDV is capable of infecting a wide variety of avian species. In
addition to poultry, more than 230 species from more than one half of
the 50 orders of birds have been found to be susceptible to natural
or experimental infections with avian paramyxoviruses:
<http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/pub_metadata/field_manual/chapter_21.pdf>

When assessing the threat of foreign animal disease outbreaks on
backyard farms, in areas such as Southern California, populations
include socially distinct groups such as the Hispanic community, with
cultural and linguistic differences, little discretionary income, and
a significant percentage without health coverage.

In many cases, the high cost of veterinary services discourages the
pursuit of animal health care, a factor that compromises mechanisms
for disease reporting. In the light of this challenge, educational
initiatives are needed to inform the general public on how to report
sick or dead birds/animals to the appropriate agency in their state.

The following resources provide contact information for: Wildlife
Reporting: Center for Biological Informatics of the U.S. Geological
Survey United States Directory: Search State Contact: Department of
Natural Resources:
<http://www.nbii.gov /geographic/us/state.html>

Domestic Pets/Commercial Reporting:
To report a plant or animal pest or disease, click on your state for
APHIS  local contact information:
<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/services/report_pest_disease/report_pest.html>

To strengthen rapid disease reporting, field veterinarians throughout
the United States are now being provided access to educational
resources associated with foreign animal disease recognition in an
online study format (ProMED: International Society for Infectious
Diseases - Announcements 2003 (01):
<http://www.humanitarian.net/biodefense/fazdc/promed_a12003.html>

--
Humanitarian Resources Institute
Stephen Apatow
<s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net>

******
[3]
Date: 6 Feb 2003
From: Miguel E. Escobar, DVM <Meescobar@aol.com>


"Question for the forum: Were the positive birds previously
vaccinated against Newcastle Disease? What vaccines were used: Live?
Killed?  Both?"

It is important to know whether a campaign vaccinating 100 percent of
the population of the game birds and companion avian pets could
prevent the problem.

--
Miguel E. Escobar, DVM
Leawood, KS 66224
<Meescobar@aol.com>

******
[4]
Date: 6 Feb 2003
From: Thomas Walton <thomas.e.walton@usda.gov>


The following is APHIS' official response, for attribution:

"The State-Federal END (exotic Newcastle disease) Task Force
personnel report that some of the backyard fowl in the CA outbreak
have been vaccinated.  Vials of Newcastle disease virus vaccine of
Mexican origin have been discovered on some of the depopulated
premises.

It has been reported that vaccination of poultry during the outbreak
in the early 1970s in CA was not helpful to control the outbreak.  It
has been suggested that, in fact, the vaccination program may have
been responsible for spreading the virus because of poor biosecurity
by the vaccination crews.

During the outbreak of END in Mexico in 2000, a vaccination program
with attenuated virus vaccine that is widely used throughout the
commercial poultry industry in the US was used.  Producers sustained
heavy losses with this vaccination program; the program was based on
off-label use of 1/2 doses of vaccine instead of full doses.
Nevertheless, it is likely that END virus exposure would overcome the
immunity provided by attenuated virus vaccination alone.  After the
2000 outbreak in Mexico, the government-mandated vaccination program
employed in commercial chickens was a combination of inactivated and
attenuated virus at one day of age and again at 8-12 days of age,
followed by attenuated virus vaccination every 2 weeks thereafter.
Vaccine efficacy studies after the outbreak concluded that attenuated
virus vaccines alone will not control END, and 2 doses of inactivated
virus vaccine doses in the face of END virus challenge are effective
in preventing clinical disease, but not infection and shedding of
virulent END virus.

There have been discussions with poultry experts and the
State-Federal Task Force Incident Commanders about END vaccination
issues, including possible vaccination of backyard fowl, perimeter
vaccination of premises with back yard poultry/game fowl located
around commercial poultry premises, and flock vaccination in the
unlikely event that there are any unvaccinated commercial poultry
premises.  It is believed that all END virus vaccines can reduce
virus shedding and reduce the severity of clinical signs of disease,
but vaccines do not prevent infection, virus  shedding, and the
development of infected virulent virus carriers. Attenuated viruses
can re-circulate from vaccine virus carrier birds and could cause
clinical disease in incompletely immunized or unvaccinated birds.

Vaccines considered are:

- an attenuated virus vaccine that is easy to administer
(intraocularly) and provides good immunity.  Vaccinated birds cannot
be differentiated serologically from END virus-infected birds, the
vaccine does not prevent infection with END virus which can be shed
from vaccinated birds, vaccine virus can be shed by vaccinated birds,
vaccine may mask infection with END virus,
recombination/recirculation of vaccine and END viruses may occur, and
there are some disease or production losses associated with
vaccination.

- inactivated virus vaccines stimulate a good antibody response.
These are administered intramuscularly, are labor-intensive, and
share many of the shortcomings of attenuated virus vaccines.

-  a recombinant chimeric vaccine that would permit serologic
differentiation of vaccinated from infected birds.  The vaccine is
not available in the US, but likely shares many of the shortcomings
of attenuated virus vaccines.

- a recombinant fowl pox vectored vaccine.  The onset of immunity is
reputed to be slow, and the vaccine likely shares many of the
shortcomings of attenuated virus vaccines.

Implementation of a backyard fowl vaccination program has been
considered.  However, the Task Force personnel have the impression
that a large percentage of the industry currently is vaccinating with
some product at various intervals, but there is no standardized
program in place.  A standardized vaccination program would likely
reduce the amount of virus in the environment.  Use of intraocular
attenuated virus vaccine would be most consistent with current
industry practice, but may make the presence of END more difficult to
detect and is likely to cause some vaccine-related disease.  It is
unclear how the initiation of an attenuated virus vaccine program
would affect our ability to eradicate END.

In summary, the use of various vaccines has been considered and while
the option has not been rejected, due to the limitations of vaccines,
they are not believed to be a real solution to the problem. There is
also the issue -- a major difficulty all along in this outbreak --
that not all backyard flock owners are readily identifiable.  In
fact, some owners may be obscuring the existence of their birds
deliberately due to associated illegal activities."

--
Thomas.E.Walton
<Thomas.E.Walton@usda.gov>

[see also:
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (06) 20030209.0353
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (AZ): OIE      20030208.0337
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (west)      20030206.0318
Newcastle disease, game fowl, plty. - USA (CA,NV) (02) 20030204.0304
Newcastle disease, poultry - USA (AZ): suspected      20030202.0289
Newcastle disease, game fowl, poultry - USA: control      20030129.0260
Newcastle disease, U.S. poultry ban extended - Mexico      20030127.0247
Newcastle disease, game fowl, poultry - USA (CA, NV)      20030127.0246
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (NV) (02) 20030126.0237
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA) (05) 20030117.0145
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (NV)      20030117.0138
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)      20030103.0014
2002
----
Newcastle disease, game birds, poultry - USA (CA)      20021228.6147
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (11) 20021221.6104
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA) (02) 20021012.5533
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (TX): warning      20021006.5482
Newcastle disease, game birds - USA (CA): OIE      20021004.5468]
..........................tg/pg/lm
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