The Georgia Department of Agriculture says Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County, marking Georgia’s first confirmed HPAI case of 2026 and the fourth case in a commercial poultry operation in the state since the nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.

State officials say the producer noticed increased mortality on Sunday, January 11, and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network. Samples were collected and tested Monday, with the positive result confirmed by the state lab Monday evening and later confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Tuesday, January 13.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Team deployed to the site to begin depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection. The affected premises housed approximately 71,264 broiler breeders, and response operations are expected to continue through the week.

A 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) quarantine zone has been established around the operation. Officials say all commercial poultry operations within that radius are under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks, and the affected premises has been secured so that only authorized personnel may enter.