NEWCASTLE DISEASE, AVIAN - MEXICO (CHIHUA

NEWCASTLE DISEASE, AVIAN - MEXICO (CHIHUAHUA) *********************************************** * A ProMED-mail post ProMED-mail, a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Date: 11 Feb 2006 From: ProMED-mail Source: El Diario (Chihuahua) [Trans. by Mod. JGM] [edited] At least 30 fowl have been affected by Newcastle's disease in the region. In order to fight the virus, SAGARPA (Agriculture, Farming, Rural Development, Fishing and Food Secretariat, according to its Spanish initials) personnel are currently immunizing the animals, announced Manuel Guerrero-Pando, an authorized officer of the secretariat. He remarked that this viral disease is not transmissible to humans, and that there is no risk when eating poultry or their eggs. Mr. Guerrero-Pando also informed that rooster fights are indefinitely suspended. He announced this after the representative of gamecock farmers said that his group is willing to collaborate. Mr. Reyes Ramon Cadena-Payan, secretary for Rural Development in the State Government said that the local outbreak has been properly detected, since it has been characterized in gamecocks and in fowl kept in the households; in Jimenez Municipality, the viral disease is under control. He added that an educational program and a vaccination program are necessary. "It is not avian flu", Mr. Cadena-Payan emphasized, in order to reassure the population with respect to eating poultry and eggs, since these products can be consumed without any risk. Mr. Guerrero-Pando stated that it is important to remember that Dr. Jorge Canes is the SAGARPA Regional Coordinator of the program against foot and mouth disease and other exotic diseases, and that all personnel present in Jimenez, Coronado, and Villa Lopez areas had moved to Rosales and Meoqui. According to the report, 30 fowl were affected with Newcastle disease. The problem started in gamecocks. The outbreak has been fully identified; however, fowl within the "red area" will be sacrificed, farms will be inspected, and a peripheral zone will be designated in which inspections will be held and sanitary measures implemented in all areas containing domesticated birds and gamecocks, and movement of such animals will be prohibited. The Federal Officer clarified that the problem in this region is not as severe as it is in Jimenez; however, appropriate measures have been taken. With respect to the previously announced fights, they have been cancelled per the request of gamecock farmers. -- ProMED-mail [Newcastle disease is an RNA virus, paramyxovirus-1. The virus can be shed during incubation, the clinical phase, and for a period of time during the bird's recovery. The virus is present in exhaled air, respiratory discharges, feces, eggs laid during clinical disease, and all parts of the carcass during acute infection and at death. Thus, it is not unexpected that chickens become infected through aerosols, contaminated feed, or water. Clinical signs usually appear rapidly and move as rapidly as 2 days to infect the entire flock, or may take as long as 12 days. But all birds appear to be in the same stages of clinical infection almost simultaneously. Tentative diagnosis of a rapidly spreading, respiratory-nervous disease and may be confirmed by virus isolation. Vaccination has been used during out breaks to gain control, as well as on a regular basis in endemic areas to build immunity. Newcastle disease virus may produce a transitory conjunctivitis in people. The condition has generally been confined to laboratory workers and teams exposed to large quantities of virus such as those eviscerating poultry in processing plants. The disease has not been reported in those consuming poultry products. - Mod.TG] [see also: 2003 ---- Newcastle disease, poultry - Mexico (02): suspected 20030516.1214 Newcastle disease, poultry - Mexico (Michoacan): suspected 20030515.1205 Newcastle disease, U.S. poultry ban extended - Mexico 20030127.0247 2000 ---- Newcastle disease, poultry - Mexico: OIE report 20000419.0572 Newcastle disease, poultry - Mexico (Northern) 20000418.0558]

 

About 500 miles from my location.