• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Georgia - Avian influenza in poultry 2025-2026

Shiloh

Shiloh

Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: https://georgiarecorder.com/briefs/...d-in-backyard-chicken-flock-in-metro-atlanta/


Georgia’s fourth case of bird flu detected in backyard chicken flock in metro Atlanta
By: Ross Williams - January 10, 2025 5:24 pm

​The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced it had detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, sometimes called bird flu, in a small, backyard flock of chickens and ducks in Clayton County. This is the fourth detection of HPAI in Georgia since a nationwide outbreak began in February 2022, according to the department...
 
from post #1

...The department said the flock was in a residential neighborhood near a lake that is frequented by wild birds, particularly waterfowl which are known carriers of HPAI.
The department believes transmission most likely came from the wild birds or from viral material they shed into the environment. The department noted there are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations within six miles of the affected flock.
​
Click to expand...
]
 
image.png - Click image for larger version Name: image.png Views: 1 Size: 70.9 KB ID: 1004635
​
Clayton County, Georgia
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_County,_Georgia
--------------------------------------------------------
​
image.png - Click image for larger version Name: image.png Views: 1 Size: 70.9 KB ID: 1004635
​
...

image.png - Click image for larger version Name: image.png Views: 1 Size: 70.9 KB ID: 1004635
​...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks
 
Georgia: Bird flu in poultry in Elbert Co. - All Poultry Activities in Georgia Suspended - January 17, 2025

Source: https://www.wjcl.com/article/georgia-bird-flu/63460681


Bird flu strikes Georgia: 45,000 chickens affected, poultry sales put on hold
This is the first confirmed bird flu case in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia.
WJCL logo Updated: 5:35 PM EST Jan 17, 2025

SAVANNAH, Ga. —


On Friday, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, in a commercial poultry operation in Elbert County.

This is the first confirmed HPAI case in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia, and the fifth detection in the state of Georgia.

As a result of this detection, effective immediately, all in-state poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets and sales are suspended until further notice.

“For the first time since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in 2022, HPAI has been confirmed in 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 the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s poultry industry. We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible.”....
 
excerpt from Post #1:

...
Operations are expected to continue into the weekend. The affected premises had approximately 45,000 broiler breeder chickens onsite at the time of detection.

All commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks.

As a result of this detection, poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, and sales (flea market or auction market) in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice.
Click to expand...

​
 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Flock in Georgia, All Poultry Activities in Georgia Suspended
January 17, 2025

Atlanta, Ga – Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation located in Elbert County, Georgia. This is the first confirmed HPAI case in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia, and the fifth detection in the state of Georgia. As a result of this detection, effective immediately, all in-state poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales are suspended until further notice.

"For the first time since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in 2022, HPAI has been confirmed in 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 the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s poultry industry. We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible."

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, the producer noticed clinical signs of Avian Influenza in their flock. Samples were collected on the morning of Thursday, January 16th, 2025, and transported to the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) for testing. A positive HPAI detection was confirmed by GPLN on Thursday afternoon, and further confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Friday, January 17th, 2025.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams (SART) immediately deployed to the affected premises to conduct depopulation, cleaning and disinfecting, and disposal operations on Friday, January 17th, 2025. Operations are expected to continue into the weekend. The affected premises had approximately 45,000 broiler breeders onsite at the time of detection.

All commercial poultry operations within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks. As a result of this detection, poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, and sales (flea market or auction market) in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice. Notifications will be issued when the listed activities may resume in Georgia.

###


Date: January 17, 2025

To: Georgia Poultry Producers Subject: HPAI in the United States

From: Janemarie Hennebelle, DVM, MPVM State Veterinarian

Effective immediately all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales (Flea Markets, Auction Markets) in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been identified in commercial poultry flocks and a backyard flock in the State of Georgia alongside an increasing number of cases nationwide. Please see Commercial, Backyard, & Wildlife cases in the United States (USDA APHIS) for more information about HPAI detections in the United States.

Poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales (flea markets, auction markets) in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice. Notifications will be announced when listed activities can resume in Georgia.

Good biosecurity practices are the best defense against AI infection and poultry producers must take the following measures to protect their flocks:
  • Move poultry with outside access indoors.
  • Continue strict biosecurity practices, including a clear line of separation on the farm.
  • Monitor flocks for clinical signs of HPAI.
    • Birds may become quiet, not eat or drink, and have discolored combs and feet, or die suddenly with no signs of disease.
  • Report unexplained mortality in your birds immediately.
Avian Influenza (AI) is a reportable disease in Georgia. If you have concerns about AI in birds, call the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline at 770-766-6850 or visit https://www.gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline/.

Report dead wild birds when seen in unusually high numbers in a single location to DNR. Call 1-800-366-2661 or report online at https://georgiawildlife.com/report-dead-birds.

Biosecurity and other resources:
​
https://agr.georgia.gov/pr/highly-p...-commercial-poultry-flock-georgia-all-poultry
 
Please see:

Georgia - Fourth case of H5N1 bird flu detected in backyard chicken flock in Clayton Co. - January 10, 2025​

Georgia - Avian flu in wild birds 2024

GA: Avian flu in a duck breeding farm in Sumter Co.​ - 2023​

GA: Bird flu reportedly kills 700 vultures at Noah’s Ark in Henry County - 2022

GA: Suspected bird flu in poultry in Toombs Co. - January 2022

--------------------

In neighboring South Carolina....

​December 31, 2024 - "South Carolina has had its first commercial flock infection during 2022-2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, after the presence of HPAI was confirmed in an upland gamebird flock in Spartanburg County." link USDA rpt link
​​
South Carolina H5N1 forum link
 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in 2nd Commercial Poultry Flock in Georgia

​Wed, Jan 22 2025
Georgia Department of Agriculture​

... On Friday, January 17th, 2025, samples that were collected from a commercial poultry operation for routine, premovement testing by the Georgia Poultry Lab Network returned a positive result for HPAI. On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the HPAI positive result was confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The premises, referred to as Elbert 02, is located approximately 210 yards away from Elbert 01, the initially affected location. Elbert 02 had approximately 130,000 broilers onsite.​

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management & State Agricultural Response Team deployed immediately to the initially affected premises (Elbert 01) and expanded to include Elbert 02 to conduct depopulation, disposal, and cleaning and disinfecting operations. Operations occurred concurrently due to the close physical proximity and the positive detection at the Georgia Poultry Lab Network of the second location. Depopulation of Elbert 01 and Elbert 02 was completed in the initial 48 hours after detection.​ ...

https://agr.state.ga.us/pr/highly-p...onfirmed-2nd-commercial-poultry-flock-georgia
 
Post #3 above:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Flock in Georgia, All Poultry Activities in Georgia Suspended
January 17, 2025​
Click to expand...

Georgia lifts suspension of poultry activities after extensive bird flu testing finds no additional cases
  • Feb 11, 2025
​The Georgia Department of Agriculture has lifted the suspension of poultry activities in Georgia, one of the country’s top poultry-producing states, after bird flu testing, depopulation, cleaning and disinfecting were done in the area and no new cases were found.​

continued: https://www.local3news.com/local-ne...cle_d338943c-e88a-11ef-8806-f3a7e9605412.html
​
 
gda-seal-100x100.png

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

Fri, Sep 5 2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Backyard Flock in Henry County, GA


ATLANTA, GA – Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard (non-poultry) flock located in Henry County, Georgia. The flock consists of approximately 45 birds of mixed species. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Georgia since January 2025, the second detection in a backyard flock this year, and the fourth overall detection in the state in 2025. Avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply, and no affected animals have entered the food chain. The risk of human infection remains very low.

“Backyard flocks that frequently interact with native wildlife, particularly waterfowl & vultures, have a higher risk of contracting Avian Influenza, and we’re continuing to ask flock owners to closely monitor the health of their birds and immediately report any suspected illness,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “I am incredibly proud of our response effort. Our team deployed immediately to the affected premises worked swiftly to successfully contain the disease, prevent any further spread, and decontaminate the premises.”

As the top poultry producer in America, the State of Georgia remains a model for the nation in HPAI prevention, detection, and mitigation. Since it began in 2022, the ongoing, nationwide outbreak of HPAI has affected more than 174,890,000 million birds across the country according to USDA. Only 205,000 of those 174,890,000 birds have been in the State of Georgia.

On August 29, 2025, the flock owners reported increased mortality in their birds to the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). That same day, GDA officials were dispatched to the location to collect samples, which were tested for the presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus in the flock by the GPLN and USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), and confirmed positive for the presence of HPAI on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. GDA officials completed depopulation, disposal, & cleaning & disinfection operations on Saturday, August 30, 2025, to mitigate the further spread of HPAI.

Transmission most likely occurred through interaction with wild birds or environmental exposure to virus shed by infected wild birds. There are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius of the affected premises.

The GDA maintains a close working relationship with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the state's lead human health agency. DPH is coordinating with local public health officials to conduct appropriate testing and surveillance with individuals who may have had direct contact with the affected animals. GDA staff who visited the affected premises conducted operations in Level C PPE and followed strict biosecurity protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, Department employees who were onsite will participate in a 10-day surveillance period.

It is critical that flock owners implement robust biosecurity measures to protect their birds from HPAI. Poultry owners are strongly encouraged to monitor their flocks closely and report any sudden increase in illness or unexpected deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850. More information is available on the Department's website. For further information concerning biosecurity tips, visit:

Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)
AI Information for Hunters (USDA)
Avian Influenza FAQ
Protect Your Livelihood PDF

###​

https://agr.georgia.gov/pr/highly-p...enza-confirmed-backyard-flock-henry-county-ga
 
image.png
​
Gordon County, Georgia
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_County,_Georgia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
​

gda-seal-100x100.png

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

Fri, Oct 24 2025

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Flock in Gordon County


GORDON COUNTY, GA – Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA - APHIS), confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry operation in Gordon County, Georgia. This marks the third confirmed HPAI case in a commercial operation and the fifth overall detection in the state this year. Since the nationwide avian influenza outbreak began in 2022, more than 182 million birds have been affected across the United States, including 340,000 in Georgia.

"For the third time this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation here in Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “This poses a serious threat to Georgia's #1 industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production. Our team is working around the clock to contain the spread and protect our flocks."

On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, the producer noticed clinical signs of Avian Influenza in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. Samples were collected on Thursday and transported to the GPLN for testing. A positive HPAI detection was confirmed by GPLN on Thursday evening and further confirmed by USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Friday, October 24th, 2025.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams (SART) immediately deployed to the affected premises to conduct depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection on Friday, October 24th, 2025. Operations are expected to continue into the weekend. The affected premises housed approximately 140,000 broilers.

All commercial poultry operations within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks.
​

https://agr.georgia.gov/pr/highly-p...firmed-commercial-poultry-flock-gordon-county
 
gda-seal-100x100.png

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

Mon, Nov 17 2025

Georgia Department of Agriculture Releases HPAI Control Area in Gordon County


GORDON COUNTY, GA – Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has officially released the HPAI Control Area designation for premises in Gordon County, following the successful completion of all required testing and response protocols and with no additional detections reported.

“I’m pleased to announce the release of the HPAI control area for Gordon 01 and the successful completion of all required surveillance testing with no additional HPAI detections,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “While this announcement is a great step in the right direction, HPAI remains a significant threat to our #1 industry, and we will continue to work with poultry producers to protect our state’s flocks and to keep prices as low as possible for Georgia consumers.”

HPAI Detection at Gordon o1:
The Georgia Department of Agriculture received notification of a “non-negative” HPAI test result from the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) on the evening of Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, which was further confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Friday, October 24th, 2025.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture immediately activated its Emergency Operations Center and staff began deploying to the Gordon County area on Friday, October 24th. Depopulation, disposal, and cleaning & disinfecting operations at Gordon 01 began on Friday, October 24th, 2025. Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement officers maintained a biosecurity perimeter around the affected premises to prevent unauthorized access and limit further spread of the disease.

Control Area Testing & Surveillance:
In response to these detections, the Georgia Department of Agriculture established a control area – a 10km (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises. There were approximately 50 additional commercial poultry operations located within the control area. Every commercial operation within the control area was subjected to increased testing and movement controls based on their proximity to the affected premises. In response to this event, GPLN staff completed 1,790 tests representing 10,690 individual chickens and hundreds of flocks with no additional detections of HPAI.

Movement Permitting:

The Georgia Department of Agriculture implemented movement controls requiring a permit for any movement of birds or related products in to, out of, or within the control area. Negative HPAI testing was one of several requirements to receive a permit. The Department issued 50 movement permits, representing approximately 356 movements during this event.

###​

https://agr.georgia.gov/pr/georgia-department-agriculture-releases-hpai-control-area-gordon-county
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top