ATLANTA — Recently, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper announced that Georgia has officially reclaimed its status as a highly pathogenic avian influenza-free state in poultry. This announcement comes after an HPAI detection in a commercial flock in Gordon County back in October.
That detection in Gordon County was the eighth in Georgia since the nationwide bird flu outbreak started in 2022, the Georgia Department of Agriculture noted in a release.
“Following the detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Gordon County, our department responded immediately — bringing our Emergency Operations Center online, deploying staff to the affected area, and successfully containing the virus in less than 24 hours,” Harper said.
As recognized by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), this designation allows for the resumption of exports and international trade of Georgia poultry products, the department said. Under WOAH guidelines, HPAI-free status in poultry in a state can be declared after the disease has been eradicated on all infected farms, and no new detections were reported during a minimum period of 28 days.
However, despite this good news, flock owners should remain vigilant with their biosecurity practices to protect their birds. The HPAI-free status is not an “all-clear” or a sign that the risk of bird flu is over in Georgia or the U.S.
“HPAI remains a significant threat to our state’s #1 industry, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture will continue working around the clock to keep HPAI out of our state and protect Georgia’s poultry industry,” Harper added.
“We’re pleased that Georgia is officially free of HPAI in poultry. Although the risk of HPAI remains nationwide, we are optimistic that with diligent efforts by conscientious flock owners, we can maintain this status,” Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Janemarie Hennebelle said. “It’s essential for poultry growers and flock owners to minimize contact between wild birds and poultry, adhere strictly to biosecurity protocols, and stay alert for signs of HPAI in your flocks.”
Bird flu is still running rampant around the country. There have been 1,905 outbreaks reported in all 50 states and 1 U.S. territory since the outbreak started in February 2022, with new cases popping up every week, the department added.
However, the state of Georgia has been the perfect example of HPAI surveillance, detection, and mitigation, the GDA said, adding that, as of Dec. 2, in Georgia, only 345,530 birds have been impacted by the virus, representing three commercial chicken flocks and one commercial waterfowl flock.
