Georgian authorities have confirmed the first case of bird fluhalting all poultry exhibitions, shows, trades, meets and sales in the state until further notice.
An Elbert County poultry producer noticed signs of bird flu in his flock Wednesday, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The samples were tested and confirmed by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network and the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Test tubes labeled “Bird Flu” and eggs are seen in this illustration. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Reuters Photos)
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GDA Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response teams immediately deployed to the site and began “depopulation, cleaning, disinfection and disposal operations” on Friday, according to officials.
Operations are expected to continue over the weekend as the affected premises housed around 45,000 broiler breeders.
Georgia Agricultural Response Teams immediately deployed to the infected poultry site and began “depopulation, cleaning, disinfection and disposal operations,” according to officials. (Photographer: Mary Kang/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
All commercial poultry operations within a six-mile radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks, according to the GDA.
Poultry exhibitions, shows, trades and sales (flea market or auction) in Georgia are suspended until further notice, according to officials. It is unclear when they might resume.
The case is the first confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia and the fifth detected in the state, officials noted.
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During a press briefing on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the public risk for avian flu remains low, but is closely monitored.
There have been 67 confirmed human cases case of bird flu since 2022, including 66 in 2024, according to the CDC.
Avian flu has been confirmed in 67 human cases, according to authorities. (iStock/iStock)
“For the first time since the start of the ongoing national epidemic in 2022, HPAI [bird flu] has been confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in the state of Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “This is a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s industry. poultry industry. We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry operations in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible. »
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The CDC recommends people avoid direct contact with wild birds or other animals suspected of being infected, and advises poultry workers to wear personal protective equipment.
