The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Animal Health and Food Safety Services issued a disease alert. Virulent Newcastle Disease has been found in a commercial chicken operation in Riverside County.
State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones ordered the mandatory euthanasia of birds in the Compton, Muscoy, Mira Loma and Perris neighborhoods of Southern California. If you live in those areas and your birds have been tested either positive or negative for the disease, your flock will need to be euthanized. USDA/ CDFA staff will contact bird owners with further information. For more information on the Virulent Newcastle disease, signs to look for or how to stop the spread visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss.
Danielle Leal
Multi-Media Journalist & AgNet News Hour Anchor