G1089

Control of Pullorum and Typhoid Through Participation
in the National Poultry Improvement Plan in Nebraska

Participation in the National Poultry Improvement Plan to prevent egg-transmitted diseases to small flocks, game birds, hobby, and exhibition flock owners is explained in this NebGuide.

• Acknowledgment

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is a cooperative state/federal program established in 1935 to reduce — and eventually eliminate — several diseases transmitted primarily through infected breeder flocks and their eggs. The plan’s widespread acceptance among the commercial industry has almost completely eliminated Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinarum from commercial breeding stock. Participation in the plan has saved the commercial industry and small flock owners millions of dollars due to improved health and production.

Salmonella pullorum and gallinarum (also called Pullorum and Typhoid) are bacterial diseases which can produce heavy losses in chickens, turkeys and other gallinoformes. Losses are greatest in very young birds but can be seen in birds of almost any age.

Survivors of these infections remain carriers for life and can infect other birds. As breeders, they produce hatching eggs which contain these bacteria. As a result, chicks are hatched with the infection and frequently die.

These diseases can be prevented by purchasing stock from hatcheries, dealers, and breeders that participate in the NPIP. According to the Nebraska Poultry Disease Control Act, all are required to participate in the NPIP. Hatcheries, dealers and flock owners should contact the Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association for participating agreements.

Game birds are not included in the Nebraska Poultry Disease Control Act and, therefore, game bird producers are not required to participate in the NPIP in Nebraska. However, if game bird producers ship via interstate, they may be required to be an NPIP participant to meet federal and state-of-destination requirements.

In Nebraska, all poultry or poultry products coming into the state must be NPI-certified Pullorum-Typhoid Clean, or must originate from a clean source. If the poultry are from a source not certified clean, they must be tested to prove they are not Pullorum-Typhoid carriers. Official forms, available through the NPIP office, must accompany the shipment of poultry or eggs into Nebraska.

This official disease control program states that no person shall sell, offer for sale, ship or import into this state, or buy from another state, hatching eggs or poultry, except for immediate slaughter, unless the flock or hatchery of origin is following a disease control program officially approved or recognized by the State Veterinarian.

If poultry or eggs are shipped outside Nebraska, the regulations of the receiving state apply, which may vary considerably between states. These regulations may also apply to birds other than poultry, such as ostriches or other exotics. Inquire about import regulations well in advance of the date of shipment to avoid delays.

Official Pullorum-Typhoid blood testing can be done by authorized agents certified by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) office or BAI inspectors. Authorized agents are located throughout Nebraska. Their names and addresses are available though the BAI or Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association offices.

In Nebraska, the NPIP is administrated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry in cooperation with the Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association.

This NebGuide is not an all-inclusive summary of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. The Nebraska Bureau of Animal Industry or the Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association can supply the specifics of participation in the plan. They also have the telephone numbers of official state agencies outside Nebraska for those wishing to inquire about export requirements. National directories are available which list NPIP participants in all 50 states. For information, write or call:

Nebraska Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 94787
Lincoln, NE 68509-4787
Phone: (402) 471-2351

Or

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association
A103 Animal Sciences
P.O. Box 830908
Lincoln, NE 68583-0908
Phone: (402) 472-2051

Acknowledgment

This is a revision of the NebGuide originally written by Eva Wallner-Pendleton and Doyle Free.

This publication has been peer reviewed.

Visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications Web site for more publications.
Index: Poultry
Management
1992, Revised 2002, March 2007