Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Backyard Flock in Pierce County, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard (non-poultry) flock in Pierce County, Georgia. The affected flock—comprised of approximately 60 chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys—has been depopulated as part of standard response protocols to prevent further spread of the disease.
 
“We are working around the clock to protect our state’s poultry industry. Our team acted swiftly to respond to the detection of HPAI, implement containment protocols, and limit the potential spread of the disease,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “In Georgia, we have maintained strong biosecurity measures since the nationwide HPAI outbreak began in 2022. To date, the outbreak has impacted more than 206 million birds nationwide, with less than 0.25 percent of those cases occurring in Georgia—the nation’s top poultry producer. This underscores the effectiveness of strong biosecurity practices and the dedication of our animal health professionals and poultry producers.”