Instructions
Avoid Exotic Newcastle disease by never purchasing birds that have been smuggled into the country. Illegal birds have not been quarantined and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Ask to see certification when purchasing birds to be sure they have been legally imported or born and raised in the United States, and are of good health. If certification is not available, do not purchase the bird.
Keep all newly purchased birds isolated from the rest of your flock for 30 days. Do not allow personnel to move from the isolated birds to the other birds during that time period.
Clean and disinfect your poultry houses between different flocks of birds. To prevent transferring the disease to your birds, it is best to never visit other poultry houses or poultry auctions. If other dealers visit your facilities insist that their trucks and crates be clean. Never allow their crates to be put inside your poultry house.
Know the symptoms of Exotic Newcastle disease. These include respiratory problems such as sneezing and coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, swelling of the face and neck, a change in the color of the comb and legs, discoordination, paralysis, and the stopping of egg production or the formation of soft malformed eggs. It is also possible that birds in the flock may just start dying without showing symptoms.
Contact the USDA if you suspect a case of Exotic Newcastle disease. Sick or dead birds must be tested to determine if Newcastle disease is present. The USDA can refer you to a local vet that can perform the testing at no charge to you.
Destroy the entire flock of birds and disinfect your facilities thoroughly if Exotic Newcastle disease is found to be present among your birds. The USDA should advise you if quarantining your farm is necessary and what other steps you need to take.
How to Treat Exotic Newcastle Disease
Exotic Newcastle disease got it's name from one of the earliest outbreaks recorded which occurred in Newcastle, England. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious, viral disease of birds for which there is no cure. There are different strains of Newcastle disease, some of which are more virulent than others. When a virulent strain infects a flock, up to 90 percent of the flock dies.