LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, confirm a case highly pathogenic avian influenza at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County.
This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in the state in 2026, but the fourth case at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in February 2022, the GDA noted in a statement.
The last commercial case in the state was in Gordon County on Oct. 24, 2025. Also, this is the first case ever in Walker County, according to USDA data.
“For the first time this year, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation here in Georgia,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper said. “Avian influenza poses a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production; GDA deployed immediately, and our staff is working around the clock to prevent any further spread, protect our state’s poultry flock, and ensure minimal impact to other producers and Georgia consumers.”
On Jan. 11, the producer noticed signs of increased mortality in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network, GDA added. Samples were collected and tested the following day, with confirmation coming from USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Jan. 13.
Depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection immediately took place once the NVSL confirmed the detection. The affected premises housed approximately 71,264 broiler breeders, and operations are expected to continue throughout the week, GDA noted.
Per protocol, all commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile radius, for at least two weeks, are being placed under quarantine and will have surveillance testing.
In addition to Georgia, Minnesota also had its first confirmed case of HPAI in 2026 this week. In Meeker County, 9,000 birds were affected at a commercial turkey breeder operation, USDA reports.
On Jan. 14, APHIS reported that for the previous 30 days there have been 18 commercial flocks and 55 backyard flocks affected by HPAI. Commercial flocks include 4 in Kansas and 2 in North Carolina. These combined national confirmations totaled 1.29 million affected birds.
For more information on bird flu, visit APHIS at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza.
