Georgia officials have confirmed the state's first case Bird fluAll domestic poultry exhibitions, fairs, exchanges, meetings and sales will be suspended until further notice.
A poultry producer in Elbert County reportedly noticed symptoms of bird flu in his flock on Wednesday. Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia (GDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Samples were tested and certified by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network and the USDA National Veterinary Service Laboratory.
Test tubes labeled “bird flu” and eggs are seen in this image. (Reuters/Dado Rovic/Photo Reuters)
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The GDA's emergency management team and state agricultural response teams were immediately deployed at the site and began “evacuation, cleaning, decontamination and disposal operations” from Friday, officials said.
The operation is expected to last until the weekend, as the affected area was home to around 45,000 broiler breeders.
Georgia Agricultural Response Teams immediately deployed to the contaminated poultry farm and began “evacuation, cleanup, disinfection and disposal operations,” officials said. (Photo: Mary Kang/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
According to the GDA, all commercial poultry operations within a six-mile radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo regulatory testing for at least two weeks.
According to officials, exhibitions, fairs, swaps and sales of poultry in Georgia have been suspended until further notice. There is no word on when they might resume.
Officials noted that this is the first confirmed case at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia and the fifth such discovery in the state.
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In a press conference on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed General risk It is low for avian flu, but is closely monitored.
There are 67 confirmed humans Bird flu cases from 2022, with 66 cases in 2024, according to the CDC.
Bird flu has been confirmed in 67 human cases, officials said. (iStock)
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said, “For the first time since the ongoing, statewide outbreak in 2022, HPAI (bird flu) has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in the state of Georgia. This is a serious threat to Georgia's #1 industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make a living in our state. poultry industry. “We are working around the clock to reduce further outbreaks of this disease and ensure that normal poultry operations in Georgia can resume as soon as possible.”
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The CDC advises the public to avoid direct contact with wild birds or other animals suspected of being infected, and advises poultry workers to use personal protective equipment.