Biosecurity efforts intensify in GA as HPAI is found on commercial broiler operation

Source: GA Farm Bureau

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.

The affected premises housed approximately 140,000 broilers. Image credit - GA Farm Bureau

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 continued 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.