There are currently no longer any areas in the United States that are quarantined because of exotic Newcastle disease (END).

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) encourages bird owners to take biosecurity precautions and to report sick birds immediately to local animal health authorities.

What is Backyard Biosecurity?

As a bird owner, keeping your birds health is a top priority. Biosecurity means doing everything you can to protect your birds from disease. Your birds can be become sick or die from exposure to just a few unseen bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In a single day, these germs can multiply and infect all your birds. However, by practicing backyard biosecurity you can keep your birds safe from germs by creating and using a biosecurity plan.

In simple terms, biosecurity is informed common sense. Don’t bring germs to your birds and don’t bring your birds to germs. Germs are persistent, invisible killers that can survive in soil, droppings, and debris waiting to hitch a ride into your backyard and into your flock.

Biosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome or expensive. In fact, a small tub, a gallon of bleach or disinfectant, and a brush will go a long way toward protecting your birds from “outside” disease. Your property needs to be a “safe” area and biosecurity practices are the barriers you can use to keep disease out!