A new case of avian influenza has been identified at a larger poultry farm in Georgia, close to the site of the state’s initial commercial outbreak.
Routine testing uncovered the infection at a farm in Elbert County, located roughly 210 yards from the first affected facility reported last week. This second farm housed approximately 130,000 broiler chickens.
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has severely impacted the poultry industry in other states and now poses a significant threat to Georgia’s largest agricultural commodity. In 2023, the farm gate value of broilers in Georgia was $5.8 billion, with Elbert County ranking among the top 10 broiler-producing counties, yielding around 162 million pounds of chicken that year.
To contain the virus, stricter testing protocols have been implemented within a 6.2-mile radius of the original site. For two weeks, poultry movements in this zone—encompassing around 120 operations—require a permit and a negative bird flu test, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the seriousness of the outbreak, citing its potential impact on Georgia’s economy and the health of its poultry. The close proximity of the two affected sites allowed the state’s emergency response team to address both simultaneously. Depopulation efforts concluded within two days, although cleaning and disinfection remain ongoing.
Harper praised the response teams working extended hours in challenging weather to protect the state’s poultry industry and the livelihoods of farming families.
The second case was publicly confirmed after state and federal labs tested samples collected the same day the first case was disclosed. In response to the outbreak, poultry exhibitions and shows have been indefinitely suspended, although production and processing operations continue as usual.
State officials have assured consumers that Georgia’s poultry products are safe. Flock samples are tested prior to processing to maintain food safety standards.
The recent cases are the first to affect commercial operations in Georgia; previously, the virus had only been detected in backyard flocks, with four incidents confirmed, including one earlier this month in Clayton County.
The H5N1 strain responsible for these outbreaks is prevalent in wild bird populations. While the risk to human health is considered low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 67 human cases worldwide, primarily linked to direct contact with infected animals. No human cases have been reported in Georgia.
