Bird flu has been confirmed at the premises of an unnamed chicken processor in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the fifth detection of bird flu in the state, but the first in a commercial setting. In response to this highly contagious disease, officials have implemented a quarantine of all commercial poultry operations within a 6.2 mile radius and will conduct surveillance testing for at least two weeks.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation poses a significant threat to Georgia’s poultry industry, which is a major economic contributor to the state. Efforts are underway to prevent further spread of the disease and resume normal poultry activities as quickly as possible.

Georgia is a significant producer of chicken in the US, with 1.3 billion chickens produced in 2022, generating over $28 billion in economic contribution and employing more than 88,000 people. The affected operation in Elbert County had approximately 45,000 broiler breeders on-site when signs of bird flu were noticed on January 15. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of the virus, prompting emergency response teams to commence depopulation, cleaning, disinfecting, and disposal operations.

In response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak, the USDA launched the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in December to monitor the spread of the virus. Dairy farms are required to provide unpasteurized milk samples for testing under the Federal Order, aiming to enhance understanding of the virus’s impact on the US dairy industry. This initiative builds upon previous actions taken to address the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle last March.

The situation in Georgia underscores the importance of biosecurity measures and rapid response protocols in mitigating the impact of avian influenza outbreaks on the poultry industry. Stakeholders across the supply chain, from producers to regulators, must collaborate to prevent further spread of the disease and safeguard the livelihoods of those involved in the poultry sector.

As the industry continues to navigate the challenges posed by avian influenza, staying informed and implementing best practices in biosecurity and disease management are essential to safeguarding the health of poultry flocks and maintaining the economic stability of the poultry industry in Georgia and beyond.