Bird disease may be headed this way

Marshall Jordan

Special to the Village News

The Virulent Newcastle disease is spreading. It is being spotted as close as Riverside. If a bird in Fallbrook is infected with the disease, it will have respiratory distress, such as coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling or a gaping beak.

It also will have nervous signs characterized by tremors, paralysis or twisting of the neck. It will have an unusually watery feces or diarrhea that is yellowish-green in color and a loss of appetite.

Some ways of preventing this disease are getting the birds vaccinated; talk to a local vet. It is suggested that bird owners keep their birds indoors, wash the gear and clothes that they take in and out of the pen thoroughly. Don't take birds out of town or bring in other birds.

Marshall Jordan raises poultry with Fallbrook 4-H Club.