NSW: Newcastle disease should be contained to one property

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-1999
NSW: Newcastle disease should be contained to one property

A viral disease which has already caused veterinary officers to slaughter thousands of
infected chickens doesn't appear to have spread outside one New South Wales property.

The Department of Agriculture says 27 poultry farms north of Sydney will be tested for
Newcastle disease.

And veterinary officers have already begun to slaughter 27,000 birds on an infected
property at the Mangrove Mountain pullet-rearing farm of Frank Pirovic and Sons.

But Controller of the Local Disease Centre, KEVIN COOPER, says they're confident the
disease hasn't spread outside the property.



Symptoms of the disease in birds include respiratory problems, nervous tremors, spasms and
-- in severe cases -- death, but it poses no threat to humans.

AAP RTV rat/lm/lm/rt

KEYWORD: NEWCASTLE (SYDNEY)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.