First Case Of Avian Flu Found In Georgia Poultry

ATLANTA, GA — The state of Georgia has confirmed its first case
of the Avian Influenza among domestic poultry.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture said Monday morning that a flock of chickens at a commercial poultry breeding operation in Chattooga County has tested positive for H7, a presumptive low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).

This marks the state’s first case of the avian influenza in domestic poultry. Avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply, and no affected animals entered the food chain. The risk of human infection with avian influenza during poultry outbreaks is very low, according to the GDA.

The virus was identified during routine pre-sale screening for the commercial facility and was confirmed as H7 avian influenza by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. As a precaution, the affected flock has been destroyed. Officials are testing and monitoring other flocks within the surveillance area, and no other flocks have tested positive or experienced any clinical signs, according to the state release.

“Poultry is the top sector of our number one industry, agriculture, and we are committed to protecting the livelihoods of the many farm families that are dependent on it,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black said in a statement. “In order to successfully do that, it is imperative that we continue our efforts of extensive biosecurity.”

The announcement follows similar confirmations from Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee in recent weeks. The Tennessee case involved the more lethal avian flu’s HPA1 strain, which is known to be deadly to domesticated poultry such as chickens, turkeys, guineas, quail and peafowls. Officials, however, stressed that the HPA1 avian flu posed no risk to the food supply and “very low” chance of human infection.

The Georgia case is considered a presumptive low pathogenic avian influenza because the flock did not show any signs of illness. While LPAI is different from the more deadly HPAI, control measures are underway as a precautionary measure. Wild birds are the source of the virus. Avian influenza virus strains often occur naturally in wild birds and can infect wild migratory birds without causing illness.

But as an added precaution, the official state order prohibiting poultry exhibitions and the assembling of poultry to be sold issued by the state veterinarian’s office on March 16 remains in effect. The order prohibits all poultry exhibitions, sales at regional and county fairs, festivals, swap meets, live bird markets, flea markets and auctions. The order also prohibits the concentration, collection or assembly of poultry of all types, including wild waterfowl, from one or more premises for purposes of sale.

Shipments of eggs or baby chicks from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), Avian Influenza Clean, approved facilities are not affected by this order.

Common bio-security steps typically include keeping your birds isolated from other birds and visitors, keeping everything clean, cleaning vehicles and cages, avoiding sharing tools with neighbors and knowing all the warning signs of infectious bird diseases.

Owners of poultry flocks are encouraged to closely observe their birds and report a sudden increase in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the state veterinarian’s office at (855) 491-1432. For more updates and information regarding biosecurity tips visit www.ga-ai.org or www.allinallgone.com.

The poultry industry annually contributes 38 billion to the Georgia economy, with 102 counties producing more than $1 million worth of poultry products each year, according to the Georgia Poultry Foundation.

»Photo courtesy of the Georgia Department of Agriculture