A highly contagious viral disease has been detected in a commercial poultry operation in Elbert County, forcing authorities to suspend all in-state poultry exhibitions and sales until further notice. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the outbreak after samples were taken from the affected flock.
The virus, known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), has significant implications for public health, causing rapid spread and high mortality rates among infected birds. Symptoms include sudden death, lethargy, and respiratory distress, while transmission occurs through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
According to Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, the outbreak is a serious threat to Georgia’s $84 billion poultry industry and has not affected the food supply chain. The agency is working to mitigate further spread of the disease and ensure normal activities can resume as quickly as possible.
Farmers are advised to follow best biosecurity practices, monitor their flock, and report any sick birds immediately to the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline. Authorities have set up a 6.2-mile quarantine radius around the affected site to contain the outbreak, with intense surveillance testing planned for the next two weeks.
Source: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-georgia-halts-sale-poultry-forces-quarantine