On Jun. 1, 2020, the USDA announced it is transitioning its virulent Newcastle disease (vND) efforts in southern California from a response focus to implementing a prevention plan aimed at keeping vND from recurring in the region. Newcastle disease is an infection of domestic poultry and other bird species with virulent Newcastle disease virus.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has not confirmed any new vND cases since Feb. 1, 2020. As a result, the California Department of Food and Agriculture removed its vND quarantine.