Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper announced on Wednesday that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a second commercial poultry flock located in Elbert County, Georgia. This marks the second case in Georgia and the sixth case nationwide since the outbreak began in 2022.

While poultry activities are currently suspended, retail sales of poultry products, including meat and eggs, as well as poultry production and processing, are not affected. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) was informed about this second positive case by the Georgia Poultry Lab Network on January 17, 2025, allowing them to start response operations immediately without waiting for verification from the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). Confirmation from NVSL was received on January 21, 2025.

Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the seriousness of HPAI for Georgia’s economy and poultry health, noting the swift action taken by the GDA to begin depopulation, disposal, and sanitation work. The close location of the affected sites allowed for concurrent operation against both cases, while law enforcement ensured a secure perimeter to prevent disease spread. On January 17, 2025, routine testing at a poultry operation detected HPAI, further confirmed by NVSL four days later. Elbert 02, the second affected site, had around 130,000 broilers and is situated only about 210 yards from Elbert 01, the initial site.

The GDA’s Emergency Management & State Agricultural Response Team quickly addressed both affected premises, completing depopulation within 48 hours after detection. Disposal and cleaning measures are still in progress, and law enforcement continues to safeguard the affected areas. Animal disease protocols require immediate action upon detection of HPAI to stop its spread. Although NVSL confirmation is important for public announcements, it does not delay the necessary response actions from the GDA. All commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer radius are under quarantine and will undergo heightened surveillance for at least two weeks, with permits required for poultry movements in and out of the control area. The suspension of poultry activities, including sales and exhibitions, remains in effect until further notice.