[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 7338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3561]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 30 / Thursday, February 13, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7338]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. 03-001-3]


Declaration of Extraordinary Emergency Because of Exotic 
Newcastle Disease in Arizona

    Exotic Newcastle disease (END) has been confirmed in the State of 
Arizona. The disease has been confirmed in backyard poultry, which are 
raised on private premises for hobby, exhibition, and personal 
consumption. Previously, END had been confirmed in the States of 
California and Nevada. The Secretary of Agriculture signed a 
declaration of extraordinary emergency with respect to END in 
California on January 6, 2003 (see 68 FR 1432, Docket No. 03-001-1, 
published January 10, 2003), and a second declaration of extraordinary 
emergency with respect to END in Nevada on January 17, 2003 (see 68 FR 
3507, Docket No. 03-001-2, published January 24, 2003).
    END is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting domestic, 
wild, and caged poultry and birds. It is one of the most infectious 
diseases of poultry in the world, and is so virulent that many birds 
die without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100 
percent can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. END can infect and 
cause death even in vaccinated poultry. This disease in poultry and 
birds is characterized by respiratory signs accompanied by nervous 
manifestations, gastrointestinal lesions, and swelling of the head.
    END is spread primarily through direct contact between healthy 
birds or poultry and the bodily discharges of infected birds or 
poultry. Within an infected flock, END is transmitted by direct 
contact, contaminated feeding and watering equipment, and aerosols 
produced by coughing, gasping, and other respiratory disturbances. 
Dissemination between flocks over long distances is often due to 
movement of contaminated equipment and service personnel, such as 
vaccination crews. Movement of carrier birds and those in an incubating 
stage accounts for most of the outbreaks in the pet bird industry.
    The existence of END in Arizona represents a threat to the U.S. 
poultry and bird industries. It constitutes a real danger to the 
national economy and a potential serious burden on interstate and 
foreign commerce. The United States Department of Agriculture (the 
Department) has reviewed the measures being taken by Arizona to control 
and eradicate END and has consulted with the appropriate State 
Government and Indian tribal officials in Arizona. Based on such review 
and consultation, the Department has determined that the measures being 
taken by the State are inadequate to control or eradicate END. 
Therefore, the Department has determined that an extraordinary 
emergency exists because of END in Arizona.
    This declaration of extraordinary emergency authorizes the 
Secretary to (1) hold, seize, treat, apply other remedial actions to, 
destroy (including preventative slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, 
any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance if the Secretary 
determines the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of END 
and (2) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within the State of 
Arizona, or any portion of the State of Arizona, of any animal or 
article, means of conveyance, or facility if the Secretary determines 
that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the 
dissemination of END. The appropriate State Government and Indian 
tribal officials in Arizona have been informed of these facts.
    Effective Date: This declaration of extraordinary emergency shall 
become effective February 7, 2003.

Ann M. Veneman,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 03-3561 Filed 2-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P