An archive photo of a flock of chickens.
ATLANTA – The first case of avian flu on a commercial poultry operation has been discovered, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The case forced the authorities to suspend all poultry exhibitions, shows, exchanges, meets and sales in the state until further notice.
Avian flu detected in Georgia poultry
What we know:
An Elbert County poultry producer noticed signs of bird flu in his flock on Wednesday. Samples were collected the next morning and transported to the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN) for testing, which returned a positive result for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory also confirmed a positive test result on Friday.
State Emergency Management and Agricultural Response Teams (SART) from the Georgia Department of Agriculture were deployed to the site to “conduct depopulation, cleaning, disinfection and disposal operations” .
This operation will continue throughout the weekend. The site has around 45,000 broiler breeders.
Quarantine after the discovery of avian flu
What we don’t know:
Agriculture officials don’t know if the virus has migrated to other herds. To help combat this, they have implemented a 10.2 mile radius quarantine with intense surveillance testing planned for the next two weeks.
It is not immediately known when the ban on exhibitions, shows, exchanges and sales of poultry (flea market or auction) will be lifted. Officials say it depends on testing and a notification will be sent.
What is highly pathogenic avian influenza?
The backstory:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as avian flu, is a serious and highly contagious viral disease that affects bird populations around the world. Caused by influenza A viruses, HPAI poses a significant threat to both domestic poultry and wild birds, with potential implications for public health.
HPAI is characterized by its rapid spread and high mortality rate among infected birds, leading to substantial economic losses in the poultry industry. The virus primarily affects domestic poultry such as chickens, turkeys and ducks, but can also infect wild birds, which often act as carriers without showing symptoms.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces, equipment, and clothing. Symptoms in birds include sudden death, lethargy, decreased egg production, swelling of the head, comb and wattles, respiratory distress and diarrhea.
Although HPAI primarily affects avian species, some strains can potentially infect humans, particularly those who are in close contact with infected birds. Although human infections are rare, they can lead to serious respiratory illnesses, raising public health concerns.
Efforts to control HPAI outbreaks focus on culling infected and exposed birds, implementing strict biosecurity measures, and restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products. In some cases, vaccination is used as a preventative measure.
The impact of HPAI outbreaks extends beyond agriculture, affecting trade and public health. Early detection and rapid response are crucial to managing the disease and mitigating its effects on the poultry industry and human populations.
First case of bird flu in commercial poultry in Georgia
What they say:
“For the first time since the nationwide outbreak began in 2022, HPAI has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in the state of Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner , Tyler Harper. “This is a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make a living from our state’s poultry industry. We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry operations in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible.”
How do you get bird flu?
What you can do:
Officials are asking anyone with chickens to consider moving their flock indoors and separating them from other animals.
They also advise farmers to follow best biosecurity practices and continue to monitor their herd.
Owners should keep an eye out for birds that become quiet, stop eating or drinking, have discolored combs and legs, or die suddenly without any signs of illness.
Sick birds should be reported immediately to the Georgia Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850 or gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline.
Anyone who sees dead birds in unusually high numbers in a single location should contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-366-2661 or report online at https://georgiawildlife.com/report-dead-birds.
The source : The information in this article comes from a joint press release from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
