Exotic New Castle Disease in FL

http://www.birdsnways.com/newcastle/endtrans.htm

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For those with birds here in Florida, we have been in contact with the Dept of AG and the State Vet's office concerning the Newcastle case.
They are monitoring it very closely and so far it has only been found in 3 double Crested Cormorants (waterfowl) in the Pinellas area. The Suncoast
Bird Sanctuary which houses several species of waterfowl, have all been tested by the Dept. of AG and all tested negative.
We need to be careful not to handle or get around these waterfowl or visit a bird sanctuary that houses these species of birds at the present time,
so that we don't create an even bigger problem for ourselves.
If there are any additional birds found to be positive, I will let everyone know, but we don't want to create an incident like happened in California a few
years ago where a TV station inadvertently caused some pet bird owners to turn their pets into animal control because they were afraid they would
become sick from their birds.

It is always important to practice good biosecurity with our birds and facilities through out the year not just when a positive case is brought to our
attention.

Fred Smith
American Federation of Aviculture
Regional Director
Florida, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Support and Protect our Feathered Friends

Unfortunately that is what cost one of my first amazons. I had handled a couple of birds that were infectd and forgot to nwash my hands before I handled my bird. Tufrf lewsson to learn.