Immediate Response and Impact
The confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at a commercial poultry producer in Elbert County, leading to the suspension of all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales statewide.
Approximately 45,000 broiler breeders were on-site at the time of detection. The state deployed Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams for depopulation, cleaning, disinfecting, and disposal operations.
Broader Context and Precautions
Nationwide, the virus has been detected in 84 commercial and backyard flocks, affecting 10.7 million birds. It has also been confirmed in dozens of dairy farms.
The Georgia Poultry Federation confirmed cooperation with state and federal officials, emphasizing existing testing processes to ensure the safety of chicken products for consumption. Quarantine and surveillance testing protocols were established within a 6.2-mile radius of the affected site.