Georgia Halts Poultry Sales After Detecting H5N1 Bird Flu in Elbert County, Affecting 45,000 Chickens

Jan 18, 2025, 04:41 PM

Georgia has confirmed its first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation in Elbert County, affecting 45,000 chickens. The Georgia Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, identified the H5N1 strain. This marks the fifth instance of the virus in the state but the first in a commercial setting. In response, all poultry-related activities, including exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales, have been suspended statewide until further notice. The outbreak poses a serious threat to Georgia's poultry industry, which is the state's top industry. Efforts are underway to mitigate the spread of the disease and resume normal poultry activities as soon as possible.