On Friday, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the USDA confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), known as bird flu, in a commercial poultry operation in Elbert County. This is the first confirmed case in a commercial poultry setting in Georgia and the fifth case detected in the state.

As a result of this confirmation, all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales within the state are immediately suspended until further notice. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper stated that this is a serious threat to Georgia’s poultry industry and the livelihoods of many residents. Efforts are underway to prevent further spread of the disease and to allow normal poultry activities to resume as quickly as possible.

The bird flu has impacted the egg market significantly, with 17. 2 million egg-laying hens dying in November and December alone. This loss represents nearly half of all birds killed by the virus in 2024, leading to fewer eggs, empty store shelves, and rising prices.

The Georgia producer identified signs of Avian Influenza in their flock on Wednesday, and after testing, a positive detection was confirmed. The state’s Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams were deployed for depopulation, cleaning, and disposal operations. Approximately 45,000 broiler breeder chickens were present at the time of detection, and a quarantine has been placed on all commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer radius for surveillance testing for at least two weeks. Notifications will be given when poultry activities can resume.