Ag News

HPAI confirmed in backyard poultry flock near Atlanta

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced late this afternoon, Jan. 10, that a small, backyard flock of 13 chickens & ducks located in Clayton County tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the positive case. 

In late December 2024, the flock owners observed that three birds in their flock died in a short period of time. The carcasses were refrigerated and sent to the Georgia Poultry Lab Network (GPLN) on Jan. 6, for testing.  On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the  GPLN confirmed a positive case of HPAI, and this result was further confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Lab (NVSL).

The GDA reports that the affected premises is located in a residential neighborhood in close proximity to a manmade lake that is frequented by wild birds, particularly waterfowl which are known carriers of HPAI. It is most likely transmission occurred via interaction with wild birds or from viral material shed by wild birds into the environment. There are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations located within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius around the affected premises. 

GDA officials visited the affected premises on Thursday, Jan. 9 to complete flock depopulation, cleaning & disinfection, and disposal operations to mitigate further spread of the disease. 

This is the third detection of HPAI in a backyard flock and fourth overall detection in Georgia since the ongoing nationwide outbreak began in February 2022. 

“As the ongoing, nationwide HPAI outbreak continues, implementing and maintaining strict biosecurity measures has never been more important,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “To date, the ongoing outbreak has impacted more than 133 million birds nationwide and less than .025% of those birds have been from Georgia, the nation’s top poultry producer – that speaks to the effectiveness of biosecurity and the importance of the work our animal health professionals and poultry producers are doing every single day to ensure the safety of their animals, employees, and operations.”

Owners of poultry flocks, especially backyard flocks, are strongly encouraged to closely observe their birds and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850.

For more information about HPAI & biosecurity tips visit:
 
Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag)

Avian Influenza FAQ (Georgia Dept. of Ag)

Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)

Protect Your Livelihood PDF (For commercial poultry producers)

AI Information for Hunters (USDA)

The Georgia Department of Agriculture maintains a close working relationship with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) – the state’s lead human health agency. DPH is coordinating with local public health officials to conduct appropriate testing and surveillance with individuals who may have had direct contact with the affected animals. Georgia Department of Agriculture staff who visited the affected premises conducted operations in Level C PPE and followed strict biosecurity protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, Department employees that were onsite will participate in a 10-day surveillance period. 

 

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