Georgia Confirms HPAI Detection in Commercial Poultry Flock in Hart County
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper has announced a confirmed positive detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock located in Hart County. The confirmation follows testing and response efforts coordinated between state and federal animal health officials.
Commissioner Harper shared the update in a post on X, stating, “Due to weather delays, we received USDA-NVSL confirmation late yesterday of HPAI in a commercial poultry operation in Hart County. To protect animal health, safeguard personnel, and prevent further spread of the virus, our Emergency Management team began onsite operations on January 27, 2026, after receiving a presumptive positive from the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network. Operations are ongoing.”
This marks the third detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Georgia so far in 2026 and the sixth detection overall since nationwide concerns surrounding the virus began in February 2022. State officials emphasized that early detection and rapid response remain critical to limiting the spread of the disease.
The detection began after a producer noticed increased signs of mortality within the flock. Samples were collected and submitted for testing, and a presumptive positive detection by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network was confirmed the same day. That presumptive result allowed the Georgia Department of Agriculture to immediately activate its emergency response protocols.
State officials moved quickly to contain the virus within the affected commercial broiler-breeder operation, which consisted of 39,600 birds at the time of detection. As part of the response, a 10-kilometer control area was established around the operation. All commercial poultry operations within that boundary are now subject to quarantine and enhanced surveillance testing.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture continues to work closely with industry partners and federal agencies to monitor the situation and protect the state’s poultry industry. Poultry producers are encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity measures and promptly report any unusual signs of illness or increased mortality in their flocks.
Officials say ongoing surveillance and rapid response efforts are essential to safeguarding animal health and preventing further spread of HPAI within Georgia and beyond.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.