Impact of poultry disease spreads

It’s not yet clear whether vND will spread throughout Northern California, but Lindsay Wildlife officials said Monday they’re no longer able to treat injured or baby wild turkeys, or most other non-native, domestic or exotic birds that are routinely brought into the hospital by mistake.

They’re still treating injured and baby quail, but newly implemented safety procedures require that they be placed in quarantine and treated off-site. The hospital is also unable to accept donations of any products or materials associated with poultry, like egg cartons, because of the risk of contamination.

The state has already established a quarantine area for vND in Southern California, prohibiting poultry owners from moving their livestock anywhere in Los Angeles County as well as in portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Birds typically die within a few days of infection, and there is no cure, according to the state. Humans who come into direct contact with the infection may run a fever or develop symptoms similar to conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye.”

The March 14 positive test in Redwood City appears to be the first reported case of the disease in Northern California, causing concern that the disease may have spread north. But no other cases have been reported so far.

Officials are also warning the owners of small flocks to take precautions and keep an eye on their birds.

“Do not transport any poultry, unless you have confirmed it is not an area under quarantine,” San Mateo County officials said in a news release.

The disease also prompted the San Mateo County Fair to cancel its poultry show in its Agricultural Livestock Department.

The Board of Directors will formally take action on the Poultry Show suspension on March 27 at its regularly scheduled board meeting.