Bird Flu Detected in Georgia's Commercial Poultry Flock for First Time Since 2022 Outbreak

Bird flu has recently affected a poultry farm in Georgia, marking the first instance since the 2022 outbreak. The Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at a commercial facility in Elbert County, located 165 km northeast of Atlanta. Consequently, all poultry-related events, including exhibitions and sales, have been suspended. Previously, the virus was only found in backyard flocks within the state.

Impact on Georgia's Poultry Industry

Georgia's poultry industry faces a significant threat due to this outbreak. Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper highlighted the potential impact on thousands of livelihoods dependent on this sector. The virus was initially detected by the producer on Wednesday, with confirmation from the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network and the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory following shortly after.

The affected site housed approximately 45,000 broiler breeders when the virus was identified. In response, state agricultural teams were dispatched to manage depopulation, cleaning, disinfecting, and disposal operations. A quarantine has been imposed on all commercial poultry operations within a 10 km radius, with surveillance testing set to continue for at least two weeks.

Ensuring Poultry Product Safety

Mike Giles, president of the Georgia Poultry Federation, stated that collaboration with state and federal authorities is ongoing. Testing procedures are in place to ensure that all chicken products remain safe for consumption. "That approach to protecting the safety of poultry products produced in Georgia will continue throughout this response and beyond," Giles said.

To prevent further spread and protect farmers from harassment, the agriculture department refrains from disclosing the names of affected sites during outbreaks. This measure aims to avoid unauthorised access that could exacerbate the situation.

Global Spread of Bird Flu

Over the past two years, bird flu has led to the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide. In recent months, 84 commercial and backyard flocks across the United States have reported cases, affecting 10.7 million birds according to USDA data. The virus has also been detected in numerous dairy farms.

Human infections remain rare but can occur among farmworkers. A Louisiana man over 65 years old succumbed to severe respiratory symptoms caused by bird flu. Despite these challenges, efforts continue to control and mitigate the spread of this virus globally.