New flocks of chickens are destroyed

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 | 9:21 a.m.

Federal and state agricultural officials said they have had to kill 133 birds from six backyard flocks near Nellis Air Force Base to try to prevent the spread of exotic Newcastle disease.

Three more poultry populations have been found to be infected with the highly contagious bird disease, and those affected birds also will be destroyed, officials said.

The disease was confirmed in Southern Nevada on Thursday by U.S. Agriculture Department and Nevada Department of Agriculture investigators, and there is a quarantine on poultry and pet birds in the area.

A task force has been set up to investigate bird populations in Clark County and in Nye County south of Amargosa Valley.

Affected birds and materials are being disposed of in landfills, officials said.