March 8, 2019

**Notice**

Live Birds Embargo to ZIP Codes 90000 to 93599

Effective immediately, the Postal Service is implementing an embargo of live birds mailed to, or from Southern California, ZIP Codes 90000 to 93599. These ZIP Codes relate directly to the quarantine boundaries specified by the state of California.

The Postal Service is taking this action in response to notification from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) of an outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease (VND). VND is a nearly-always fatal respiratory infection of poultry. Birds may seem healthy but will die within days of being infected. There is no cure. The virus can also be transmitted by people who have VND on their clothes or shoes, and by equipment or vehicles that can transport the disease from place to place.

There are no human health concerns provided meat or eggs are cooked properly. People who come into direct contact with the virus may develop conjunctivitis-like symptoms or run a mild fever.

The embargo will remain in effect until further notice. Employees will be advised when the CDFA terminates the quarantine. Employees are requested to notify known mailers of birds in their local area of the embargo.