Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu Detected in Gordon County Poultry Farm, Georgia on High Alert After Fifth Case

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry farm in Gordon County, marking the state's fifth overall detection and the third within a commercial facility. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, officials were alerted to potential signs of the influenza after the producer observed illness within the flock last Tuesday, with testing on collected samples confirming HPAI the following day.

In an immediate response, as detailed by an announcement published on WALB, the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams commenced "depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection procedures" at the affected operation on Friday, October 24th. Approximately 140,000 broiler chickens have been housed within the operation, which, along with all commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile radius now finds itself under quarantine and will remain so for surveillance testing over at least a two-week period.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper voiced the gravity of the situation, stating that this "poses a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production." "Our team is working around the clock to contain the spread and protect our flocks," he told FOX 5 Atlanta. Since the avian influenza outbreak began in the United States in 2022, over 182 million birds have been hit by the disease, with Georgia accounting for about 340,000 of those affected.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a very contagious and untreatable virus that kills many birds. It spreads through saliva, nasal fluids, and droppings, as well as through contaminated surfaces and water. The Department of Natural Resources notes that while the virus is common in wild birds, cases spiked across the country in 2022 before dropping back to normal levels by mid-2023, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta.

For people who keep backyard birds, officials recommend cleaning bird feeders and baths often, keeping them away from poultry, and avoiding contact between wild and domestic birds, especially waterfowl. These steps help reduce the risk of spreading the virus, especially after recent outbreaks in commercial poultry farms.