Ag News
HPAI confirmed at second Walker County farm & at Hart County farm
Posted on Jan 29, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Since Jan. 24, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in coordination with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a second Walker County commercial poultry farm and has confirmed a first case of HPAI at a commercial poultry farm in Hart County.
The second Walker County case, which GDA announced Jan. 24, marks the second detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia in 2026 and the fifth detection overall since the nationwide outbreak began in February 2022. GDA announced the first HPAI case at a Walker County commercial poultry farm on Jan. 14.
On Jan. 28, GDA announced a positive case of HPAI at a Hart County commercial poultry farm that is a broiler-breeder operation with about 39,600 birds at the time of detection. This positive case is the third this year on a Georgia commercial poultry farm and the sixth detection in Georgia since the national outbreak that began in February 2022.
The second affected farm in Walker County, designated Walker 02, is located within the existing control area for the first case and housed approximately 16,000 broiler breeder chickens. In response, state and federal response teams carried out on-site operations to protect animal health, safeguard personnel, and prevent further spread of the virus. As a result of this swift response, depopulation at Walker 02 was completed on Jan. 23.
“Through routine surveillance testing, a second commercial poultry operation in Walker County has been confirmed positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Control area testing is critical to identifying the virus as early as possible and limiting its spread into the environment,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “HPAI poses a serious threat to Georgia’s number one industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production. The Georgia Department of Agriculture deployed immediately to Walker 02, and our teams are working around the clock to contain the virus, protect our state’s poultry flock, and minimize impacts to other producers and Georgia consumers.”
On Jan. 22, premovement samples were collected from the second Walker County commercial poultry farm and the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) returned a presumptive positive result for HPAI. This early notification allowed GDA to immediately initiate on-site response operations in accordance with animal disease response protocols, without waiting for confirmatory testing from the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). Public announcement of an HPAI detection requires confirmation from NVSL, which was received late in the afternoon on Jan. 23. While NVSL testing provides additional information about the virus strain, it does not change the GDA’s required response, which mandates immediate action to contain the disease through depopulation, disposal, and cleaning and disinfecting operations that remain ongoing.
In Walker County, all commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) control area of the first and second cases remain under quarantine and are subject to enhanced surveillance testing. Due to the proximity of the Walker 01 and Walker 02 premises, the control area was expanded to include five additional farms. Movement of poultry, poultry products, and related materials into, out of, or within the control area is strictly prohibited without a permit issued by GDA. To further prevent the spread of the disease, the affected premises have been secured by GDA Law Enforcement, and access is limited exclusively to authorized personnel.
Meanwhile, in Hart County, out of an abundance of caution and due to severe winter weather, onsite operations at Hart 01 began on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
“With severe cold weather persisting and migratory waterfowl continuing to pass through our state, it is not unexpected to see an uptick in HPAI cases. Biosecurity is our best defense against HPAI, and we’re encouraging producers around Georgia to ensure they continue to implement Gold Standard biosecurity protocols,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Harper. “Our teams are working around the clock to contain the virus, protect our state’s poultry flock, and minimize any impacts to other producers and Georgia consumers. There is no threat to the safety of our food supply at this time, and no deceased birds ever entered the supply chain.”
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the Hart County poultry producer noticed signs of increased mortality in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). Samples were collected, transported to GPLN for testing, and returned a presumptive positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza that same day. Due to inclement weather, delivery of the samples to USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, IA, have been delayed. The presumptive positive from GPLN allows GDA to immediately begin response operations.
In Hart County, all commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) control area of the affected farm remain under quarantine and are subject to enhanced surveillance testing. Movement of poultry, poultry products, and related materials into, out of, or within the control area is strictly prohibited without a permit issued by GDA. To further prevent the spread of the disease, the affected premises have been secured by GDA Law Enforcement, and access is limited exclusively to authorized personnel.
Good biosecurity practices are the best defense against avian flu 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, 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/.
Anyone who sees unusually high numbers of dead wild birds in a single location should report this to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Call 1-800-366-2661 or report online at https://georgiawildlife.com/report-dead-birds.
For more information about HPAI & biosecurity tips visit:
Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Avian Influenza FAQ (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)
AI Information for Hunters (USDA)
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