A Morongo Basin egg farmer is worried about a serious threat to the region’s bird population. Roger Thomas, who operates a USDA approved Egg Farm in Wonder Valley says the spread of Newcastle disease has the potential to decimate both domestic and wild bird populations. Thomas said the disease rarely survives the summer but did this season. He said efforts to stop the spread will need everyone’s help. Saturday he made the decision to put down 6000 young birds that he had raised in Riverside.
While they tested clean, he said it was not worth the risk to bring them home to the Morongo Basin and risk our wild birds or the birds he already has here. He is urging residents to not buy sell or bring any birds from other places and wait until this is under control. There is no danger to humans in consuming birds or eggs that may be affected by Newcastle Disease. A link to more information on the disease and the regional outbreak is available below.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Newcastle_Disease_Info.html
