Ag News

HPAI confirmed in Gordon County poultry flock

On Oct. 24, 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. This is 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.  

“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," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

On Oct. 22, the producer noticed clinical signs of HPAI in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) on Oct. 23. Samples were collected on Oct. 23 and transported to the GPLN for testing. A positive HPAI detection was confirmed by GPLN that night and further confirmed by USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Oct. 24.

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, Oct. 24. 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 were placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control reports there is no evidence that anyone in the United States has gotten infected with avian influenza A viruses after eating properly handled and cooked poultry products or eggs. Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.

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, 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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