The Georgia Department of Agriculture is taking steps to guard against the avian flu. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been identified in commercial poultry operations and a backyard flock in Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.
State agriculture officials stress HPAI has not been detected in Georgia and the agency is working to keep it that way. On Tuesday, GDA announced that “effective immediately, all exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps, and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice.”
Notifications will be announced when listed activities can resume in Georgia.
“Good biosecurity practices are the best defense against AI infection,” the department says in a press release. “With HPAI, birds may become quiet, not eat and drink, have diarrhea, and have discolored combs and feet. Birds may also die suddenly with no signs of disease.”
The agency urges poultry producers to take immediate action to protect their flocks:
- Move all poultry with outside access indoors.
- Implement strict biosecurity.
- Monitor flocks for clinical signs consistent with AI.
- Report any concerns to your Veterinarian, State Animal Health Official or Federal Animal Health Official immediately.
AI is a reportable disease in Georgia. If you have concerns about AI in birds, call the Georgia Avian Influenza hotline at (770) 766-6850 or visit https://www.gapoultrylab.org/avian-influenza-hotline/.
