UPDATE: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner says poultry supply safe
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) confirmed the state’s first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation located in Elbert County.
UPDATE (1/18/25): Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper issued the below statement Saturday reassuring Georgians that poultry products available for retail sale in Georgia are safe and wholesome.
“Every Georgian can and should have 100% confidence in the safety and security of poultry products offered for sale in the state of Georgia. The recent detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Elbert County will not impact Georgians ability to purchase poultry products like meat or eggs at the local grocery store or restaurant nor will it impact retailers’ ability to offer these products for sale. Georgia and USDA have rigorous meat inspection standards to ensure the safety of our food supply, and no infected birds have entered the food supply chain.”
According to USDA, Avian Influenza does not pose a significant threat to the safety of our state’s food supply, and the risk of an infected bird entering the food supply chain is low, the Georgia Department of Agriculture said in a news release.
The previous announced suspension of poultry activities does not apply to production facilities in Georgia, nor does it apply to private treaty sales between individuals. Additionally, birds may continue to be shipped into Georgia following routine entry requirements, which can be found here.
ORIGINAL STORY (1/17/25):
ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) confirmed the state’s first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation located in Elbert County.
“This is the first confirmed HPAI case in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia, and the fifth detection in the state of Georgia,” a Friday news release from Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said.
The detection has led to an immediate suspension of all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales statewide.
“This is a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s poultry industry,” Harper stated. “We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible.”
The affected operation, which housed about 45,000 broiler breeders, reported clinical signs of Avian Influenza on Wednesday, January 15. Samples collected Thursday were tested by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, confirming the presence of HPAI. The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the results on Friday.
Emergency response teams, including the GDA’s State Agricultural Response Teams, have been deployed to manage depopulation, cleaning and disinfection at the site. These operations are expected to continue into the weekend, according to the release.
Commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile radius of the affected site are under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks.
Poultry producers are advised to move birds indoors, maintain strict biosecurity practices and monitor flocks for signs of illness, including lethargy, loss of appetite or sudden death.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture urges anyone with concerns about Avian Influenza to report cases to the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline at (770) 766-6850. Additionally, unusually high numbers of dead wild birds should be reported to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-366-2661.
Notifications will be issued when poultry activities can safely resume.
