The 65th (Texas) Legislature passed an act which requires that all domestic poultry used in the production of offspring for the sale or trade be Pullorum-Typhoid negative.  The act also requires that all poultry going on public exhibition or sale must be Pullorum-Typhoid tested and found to be free of infection, or originate from a certified Pullorum- Typhoid Clean Flock. The Act was amended by the 72nd Legislature transferring responsibility to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.  The amended act requires the following:

1. The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) to develop Rules and Regulations and administer the program jointly with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).

2. All domestic poultry offered for sale, trade or used to produce offspring for sale or trade must be tested for Pullorum-Typhoid and found to be free of infection.

3. All poultry going to public exhibition or public sale must be tested for Pullorum-Typhoid and found to be free of infection, or originate from a certified Pullorum-Typhoid Clean flock.

4. All hatcheries and flocks (as stated in items 2 and 3 above) must register with the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Program Office.

NEGATIVE FLOCK

In order for poultry to be considered negative for Pullorum-Typhoid, one of the following approaches must be used.

1. Must qualify under the National Poultry Improvement Plan or,

2. Have a monitoring and testing program for breeder birds which is equivalent to the required program as approved by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Pullorum-Typhoid Office, or,

3. Have an official Pullorum-Typhoid test on individual birds conducted by Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory testing Agent, or an approved accredited veterinarian.

The owner must be issued a testing report or a flock certificate ($25.00 fee) depending upon the owner's needs or request is a premise with chickens only is tested negative.

FLOCK TEST

1. All birds must be at least 16 weeks of age or nearing sexual maturity.

2. All birds must be tested (except waterfowl or pigeons) to qualify a premise.

3. Turkeys, pea fowl and pheasants require blood samples to be collected, and then submitted for testing in a TVMDL laboratory.

POSITIVE "PLATE" REACTOR BIRDS

1. Flock owner will be issued a hold order for their premise and birds.
2. Up to five (5) wing banded birds will be delivered to a TVMDL laboratory for culturing purposes.

3. Flocks negative for S.pullorum - S.gallinarium (Pullorum-Typhoid) upon culture, will be declared clean and issued a 12 month valid flock test or certificate report.

4. Flocks positive for S.pullorum - S.gallinarium (Pullorum-Typhoid) upon culture, will be placed under a Texas Animal Health Commission quarantine.  All movement of poultry and poultry products (baby birds and hatching eggs) must cease.  No poultry may leave the premise while under quarantine.

QUARANTINE RELEASE

1. Flock must receive 2 consecutive negative tests at 21 day intervals (minimum) from the date of the positive test, or

2. Dispose of all birds and products, clean and disinfect premise and remain free of all poultry for 90 days.  TVMDL or TAHC does not compensate owners for disposal of birds or poultry products.

3. Remain under indefinite quarantine - no movement of birds or products.

NEGATIVE FLOCK OWNER'S LIST TO TAHC

A list of Texas negative premises will be provided to the TAHC for their use at shows and fairs.

DISCUSSED INFORMATION

The Poultry Epidemiologist and you, (the owner) have reviewed this information and he/she has made you aware of the items covered above.

NOTE:  This information sheet was provided by the Poultry Epidemiologist at the time of the NPIP blood tests conducted on our flocks on 05 February 2004.