Georgia’s top industry is under threat after bird flu spreads to a second commercial flock. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) has devastated other states and now endangers Georgia’s broiler industry, valued at $5.8 billion. A case near the first outbreak in Elbert County, 210 yards away, affected about 130,000 broilers. All commercial poultry farms within a 6.2-mile radius are under increased surveillance until permits and negative tests are cleared. State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the threat to Georgia’s economy and health of poultry. Efforts include depopulating the area within two days but ongoing cleaning. Samples were tested on the same day as news broke, with the second case confirmed Tuesday night by USDA. Activities like shows have been shut down, but producers remain active. Harper assured consumers meat and eggs are safe after collecting samples from flocks before processing. Before these cases, bird flu had only affected backyard flocks in Georgia, with four previously confirmed cases. The H5N1 strain is widespread in wild birds, per CDC, but public health risk remains low. Georgia has no confirmed human cases of bird flu.
Source: https://georgiarecorder.com/briefs/georgia-chicken-farmers-on-alert-after-bird-flu-found-in-second-commercial-flock