In an exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in the US, which birds are typically euthanized if infected or exposed?

• A. Domestic poultry
• B. Exotic pet birds
• C. Wild birds
• D. No action taken

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that outbreak response relies on stamping out by depopulating susceptible birds on and around infected premises to stop transmission. Domestic poultry are the ones typically euthanized because they make up the bulk of birds kept in high densities and through which the virus spreads most readily via movement, trade, and contact networks. When a flock or premises is infected or exposed, the usual action is to depopulate that premises to prevent further spread. Exotic pet birds would only be euthanized if they share the same premises or have a known exposure; they are not the standard target across the wider outbreak. Wild birds are not routinely culled in such a program, since removing wild populations is impractical and ecological considerations come into play. No action taken would allow continued spread, so that option isn’t correct.