This will spark industry fears.
For the first time, avian influenza has been identified in a commercial poultry farm in Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Elbert County. While this marks the fifth detection of HPAI in the state, it is the first instance involving a commercial poultry operation since the current outbreak began in 2022.
The discovery follows a recent case in Clayton County, where the virus was detected in a backyard flock of 13 chickens and ducks. The outbreak represents a serious risk to Georgia’s poultry industry, which is the state’s largest agricultural sector.
State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper expressed concern over the potential impact, stating, “This is a serious threat to Georgia’s number one industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who depend on the poultry industry. We are working tirelessly to contain the spread and ensure poultry operations in Georgia can return to normal as soon as possible.”
In response to the situation, Georgia officials have temporarily suspended all poultry exhibits, shows, swaps, meets, and sales across the state. These measures aim to prevent further spread of the disease and safeguard the poultry sector.
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