Avian Influenza hits Georgia’s poultry industry for the first time

For the first time since the nationwide outbreak began in 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia. This significant event has raised concerns among industry experts and local farmers, as Georgia is the leading state for chicken production in the United States.

David Corredor

For the first time since the nationwide outbreak began in 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia. This significant event has raised concerns among industry experts and local farmers, as Georgia is the leading state for chicken production in the United States.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, confirmed the presence of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock located in Elbert County on January 17, 2025. This marks the fifth detection of the virus in the state, but the first in a commercial setting. Previous cases were limited to backyard flocks.

The affected farm, which housed approximately 45,000 broiler breeders, reported clinical signs of avian influenza on January 15, 2025. Samples were promptly collected and tested, confirming the presence of the virus. In response, the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams were deployed to the site to conduct depopulation, cleaning, disinfecting, and disposal operations.

As a precautionary measure, all commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected farm have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks. Additionally, all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales in Georgia have been suspended until further notice.