People who keep backyard poultry flocks should practice good biosecurity in light of the recent discovery of exotic Newcastle disease in wild birds in Saskatchewan.
Kathryn Ross, animal health program officer with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said the disease has not been found in domestic birds but producers should be aware of the possibility.
About 1,000 wild cormorants died of exotic, or pathogenic, Newcastle disease in the Meadow Lake and Jackfish Lake areas earlier this month.
Ross said the disease has been found in Canada each year since 1990 but there have not been any recent cases in domestic poultry.
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She said while operators of intensive poultry barns follow strict biosecurity measures, those who have outdoor and hobby flocks might not always do the same.
However, they have a greater chance of coming in contact with wild birds. Direct contact is the leading cause of the disease spread.
The virus can live for days on clothing and footwear and in litter, feed, water, soil, eggs and feathers.
Newcastle in wild birds is indicated by clenched toes, a high number of sudden deaths, the inability to walk or fly, muscle tremors, twisting of the head and neck, and lack of muscular co-ordination.
The symptoms in domestic birds include decreased egg production, depression, diarrhea, high sudden death rates, respiratory distress, paralysis of one or both legs or wings, and walking in circles.
The virus is one of the most contagious and severe to affect all species of birds, including pets.
Ross said symptoms of Newcastle must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Good biosecurity practices include wearing clean clothing and footwear when attending to birds.
Screening off the outdoor area where birds are kept can prevent contact with potentially infected or dead wild birds.
Any new additions to a flock should be kept separate for at least 30 days.
Ross also advises cleaning and disinfecting vehicle tires if the vehicle has been on another property with birds.
She added that there are many other viruses that affect birds and proper biosecurity can help prevent those infections.
It is rare for Newcastle to infect humans but it can cause pink eye or conjunctivitis and mild flu-like symptoms.
