Officials reduce quarantine zone virulent bird disease

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 | 9:28 a.m.

The state and U.S. Agriculture Departments have shrunk the quarantine zone for exotic Newcastle Disease in Southern Nevada, but opted to keep some of the zone in place until August.

Instead of covering all of Clark County and southern Nye County, the quarantine area, which affects pet birds and poultry, now covers a zone near Nellis Air Force base -- in the immediate vicinity of an outbreak of exotic Newcastle Disease earlier this year.

"The new smaller quarantine zone is immediately around the infected premises," state veterinarian David Thain said Tuesday.

The quarantine remains in effect because of international guidelines that require state health officials to monitor the outbreak area for six months after the last contaminated flock was destroyed, Thain said. The disease does not affect people, only birds and poultry.

The last infected bird was destroyed Jan. 29, so if no further infected birds are discovered, the quarantine will be lifted in early August, Thain said.

A toll-free number for reporting sick birds will remain in operation. The number is: (866) 490-2991.