Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

If virulent Newcastle's disease occurs in the U.S., what happens to infected poultry?

1. They are isolated and monitored

2. They are vaccinated quickly

3. They are euthanized if infected or exposed

4. There are no regulations regarding treatment

The correct answer is: They are euthanized if infected or exposed

In the event of an outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in the U.S., the response to infected poultry is primarily aimed at controlling the disease spread and protecting the broader poultry population. Euthanasia of infected or exposed birds is a critical component of the containment strategy. This drastic measure is necessary because Newcastle disease can spread rapidly among poultry and can lead to significant economic losses, as well as impacting animal health. The decision to euthanize is guided by the desire to swiftly eliminate the presence of the virus and prevent further transmission. Additionally, doing so helps to reassure the public and industry stakeholders that appropriate measures are being taken to manage the outbreak. While isolation and monitoring of infected birds may be part of the initial response in some cases, it is not sufficient to effectively control a virulent strain of Newcastle disease due to its highly contagious nature. Vaccination can be an important strategy in managing the disease but generally occurs prior to an outbreak rather than as an immediate response to infected birds. Lastly, the absence of regulations regarding treatment would be inconsistent with established protocols for dealing with high-consequence animal diseases, which are governed by strict animal health policies.