Second Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Walker County, Georgia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in coordination with USDA-APHIS, has announced a second confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Walker County, Georgia. This latest detection follows the first confirmed case announced on January 14 and is located within the existing control area established to contain the virus.
According to state officials, the affected premises housed approximately 16,000 broiler breeder chickens. Because of inclement weather conditions last week, state and federal response efforts were accelerated to ensure rapid containment. These efforts included on-site operations designed to “protect animal health, safeguard personnel, and prevent further spread of the virus.”
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the importance of early detection and aggressive response. “Through routine surveillance testing, a second commercial poultry operation in Walker County has been confirmed positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Control area testing is critical to identifying the virus as early as possible and limiting its spread into the environment. HPAI poses a serious threat to Georgia’s number one industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production. The Georgia Department of Agriculture deployed immediately [to Walker 02], and our teams are working around the clock to contain the virus, protect our state’s poultry flock, and minimize impacts to other producers and Georgia consumers.”
Georgia’s poultry industry is the largest agricultural sector in the state, making biosecurity and rapid containment measures especially critical. Following confirmation of the second case, all commercial poultry operations within the 6.2-mile control area remain under quarantine and are subject to enhanced surveillance testing. In addition, five more farms have been added under an expanded control area as a precautionary measure.
State and federal animal health officials continue to work closely with affected producers, conducting testing, monitoring movement, and enforcing strict biosecurity protocols to prevent further spread of the virus. Officials stress that HPAI does not pose a food safety risk when poultry products are properly handled and cooked, but the disease can have severe economic impacts on poultry operations and rural communities.
Producers are encouraged to remain vigilant, follow all biosecurity guidance, and report any unusual poultry mortality or illness immediately. The Georgia Department of Agriculture will continue to provide updates as surveillance and response efforts progress.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.