State and federal agriculture officials have confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry operation in Gordon County, marking the third confirmed case in a commercial facility and the fifth overall detection in Georgia this year.
The confirmation came after the producer noticed signs of illness in their flock on Wednesday, October 22, and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) the next day. Samples tested positive for HPAI on Thursday evening, with the results later verified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Friday, October 24.
The affected Gordon County farm housed approximately 140,000 broilers, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). Following confirmation, GDA’s Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams (SART) were dispatched to the site to carry out depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection procedures, which are expected to continue through the weekend.
“For the third time this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation here in Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper. “This poses a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production. Our team is working around the clock to contain the spread and protect our flocks.”
In response to the detection, all commercial poultry operations within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius of the Gordon County site have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks.
Since the nationwide avian influenza outbreak began in 2022, more than 182 million birds have been affected across the United States, including approximately 340,000 in Georgia.
Officials are urging poultry producers in Gordon County and surrounding areas to remain vigilant, strengthen biosecurity practices, and immediately report any signs of illness in their flocks to the Georgia Department of Agriculture or the GPLN.
