Texas on Alert Over END

AUSTIN - Feb 19/03 - SNS -- Poultry producers in Texas have been warned to be extra vigilant in watching for signs of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) in their flocks following reports 14 commercial poultry operations have been hit by th disease in southern California.

The warning applies to owners of all poultry, emus, ostriches, pet birds, parrots and other fowl. Clinical signs of END in birds can include gasping and coughing, greenish diarrhea, trembling or complete paralysis. Death losses for this bird and poultry disease can vary, but could be as high as 90%. Laboratory tests must be run to confirm an END diagnosis.

"END is highly contagious, so it is very difficult to stop the spread of this virus, once it is introduced into an area," commented Dr. James Lenarduzzi, acting executive director for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's regulatory agency for livestock and poultry health.

He said more than 2.2 million birds have been killed to stop the spread of END in southern California, Nevada and Arizona, where the disease has involved more than 2,000 noncommercial, or "backyard" flocks, in addition to the 14 commercial operations in California. At least 9,000 flocks in the affected states remain quarantined, and birds may not be moved from their premise.

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