NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@...

New Mexico Livestock Board
300 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite 1000
Albuquerque, NM 87108-1500 * (505) 841-6161 * FAX (505) 841-6160
Steven R. England, DVM * State Veterinarian

For immediate release May 7, 2003
"One-Strike" Penalizes Texas Chicken, Egg Industry;
Texas Producers Suffer Export Cuts


When chickens in El Paso got sick with Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) in
early April, Texas commercial chicken, egg and turkey producers hundreds of
miles away in East Texas saw export markets shut down nearly overnight.
Although this foreign bird virus has been confined (up to now) to only one
small backyard flock, which has been depopulated, at least a dozen
countries, including Mexico, either have banned the importation of Texas
poultry, eggs or poultry meat, or have placed stringent requirements on
products. Even some U.S. states are requiring county-of-origin
documentation to prove Texas poultry and products didn't come from the El
Paso area.

"For the pet bird owner or backyard producer, END infection in a flock is
devastating, emotionally and financially. Although the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) reimburses owners for depopulated flocks, companionship,
breeding and genetics are lost," said Dr. Max Coats, deputy director for
animal health programs at the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the
state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. "It's very
stressful for folks who live in areas quarantined because of END. Pet birds
can't be moved until special provisions are made, and teams of regulatory
veterinarians and animal health inspectors must make surveys and conduct
testing to ensure no diseased birds or poultry have been missed."

"For the commercial chicken, turkey or egg producer, END has financially
devastating consequences, even when the disease strikes hundreds of miles
away. In Texas, END was detected in far West Texas, but it impacted the
commercial poultry industry, most of which is congregated in East Texas."
explained Dr. Travis Cigainero, veterinarian for Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation in Texas. "One case of END in a state, and the commercial
poultry and egg industry loses many of its international marketing
opportunities until the state regains its disease-free status. In the
meantime, we have to find alternative marketing solutions, or reduce
production in order to survive and maintain jobs for employees until export
markets are reopened. One infected flock puts the entire commercial
poultry industry in jeopardy, and it's an industry that pumps more than $2
billion into the state's economy."

Since April 10, five Texas and New Mexico Counties have been under state or
federal quarantines issued by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC),
New Mexico Livestock Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
due to the disease outbreak. Counties from which birds can not move
include El Paso and Hudspeth Counties in Texas, and Otero, Luna and Dona
Anna Counties in New Mexico. The infected flock in El Paso County--and
neighboring small flocks that had 'dangerous contact' or potential disease
exposure--were depopulated in early April and paid for by the USDA.

A team of veterinarians and animal health inspectors from the USDA, TAHC,
and New Mexico Livestock Board are working in the five-county area to take
calls about sick birds and to test many of the backyard flocks in the
five-county area to ensure all END infection has been wiped out. The END
Task Force is operating from an incident command center set up at the El
Paso County Fire Department at 11440 North Loop in Socorro. Bird owners in
the five quarantined counties may contact the task force at 915-859-9446.
For general END disease information, or to report sick birds in other parts
of Texas, call the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242. In New Mexico, producers may
call the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505-841-6161.

END doesn't affect human health, or animals, other than birds. The
disease, however, is considered deadly to all avian species, including
chickens, turkeys, pet birds and ratites, such as ostriches. Two days to
two weeks after being exposed to the virus, infected birds may gasp, cough,
exhibit muscle tremors or complete paralysis, develop watery diarrhea, or
die suddenly, without signs of illness.

Dr. Cigainero reminded owners that the END virus can be carried on
clothing, shoes or equipment. "Diseases don't just 'up and move' to new
sites. They are usually carried from place to place by people through the
movement of birds or products. The future of our food production system is
in the hands of the individual farmer and animal owner," he said. "Be
aware that you may be contaminated with the virus, if you've been around
birds or equipment. Disinfect your shoes. Shower. Put on fresh clothing
before handling your own birds. If you have sick birds, report it to your
veterinarian or the TAHC immediately, so action can be taken quickly to
protect other flocks."

"When folks protect their own pet birds and backyard birds, they're also
protecting the avian industry as a whole in Texas," said Dr. Coats. "The
pet bird and backyard flock industry has a very important niche in the
Texas economy. Bird shows, poultry as 4H projects, pet birds as
companions, and exotic birds are an important part of our culture. The
Texas commercial poultry industry also has a major economic impact, as more
than 10,000 Texans rely on this industry for jobs."

"Texas is the sixth leading exporter of poultry and poultry products. In
2001, more than $137 million in poultry and poultry products were
exported," said Dr. Cigainero. "This directly relates to jobs. You also
have to consider the 'trickle down' effect for the thousands of Texans who
support the poultry industry with goods and services, such as feed and
equipment for the birds, groceries, housing, banking, schools,
transportation and entertainment. The impact runs into the billions of
dollars. If we don't act quickly to practice good biosecurity with our
birds and regain our ability to trade poultry and poultry products on the
international market, the poultry industry--and Texas businesses could
really suffer."

Dr. Coats reminded producers that an END outbreak is still being fought in
Southern California, which is also suffering from international trade
embargoes. More than 3.5 million birds have been destroyed in California
to stop the spread of disease, which has hit nearly 900 backyard flocks and
22 commercial poultry operations. Earlier this year, the disease also was
detected in backyard flocks in Nevada and Arizona. These outbreaks have
been eradicated and these states are awaiting quarantine release.

"Never move birds from a quarantined area to a 'clean county,'" stressed
Dr. Coats. "It's foolhardy to think that we can outwit a disease like END
with illegal movement of birds from an area, which may still have
undetected infection. END is an extremely contagious disease, and exposed
birds can become extremely ill and most affected birds will die. One case
of END in a state, and will interfere with international trade for months,
until the outbreak is 'cleaned up.'"

"We do not have a date for quarantine release in Texas, even though we've
found no additional infection," said Dr. Coats. "We have to develop
scientific proof that we have looked for and tested all possible sources of
infection before the USDA and our trading partners will consider our state
to be free of the disease."


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