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Positive case of bird flu detected in a second commercial poultry flock in Georgia

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture has detected a positive case of bird flu in a second commercial poultry flock in Elbert County, northeast of the Athens area. The discovery of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has prompted the agency to suspend poultry activities in Georgia. However, retail sales of poultry products including meat and eggs have not been affected.

The first positive case was made public last Friday when the state Department of Agriculture announced that the agency had detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at a commercial poultry producer, also in Elbert County. The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management sent its State Agricultural Response Teams to the site to “conduct depopulation, cleaning and disinfecting, and disposal operations.” Nationwide, the virus has been detected in 84 commercial and backyard flocks in the last month, with 10.7 million birds on those sites.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper says the close proximity of the two cases of bird flu – including the first case discovered late last week – allowed the his agency and law enforcement officials to set up a secure perimeter to prevent further spread of the disease. All commercial poultry operations within 6.2 miles of where the two cases occurred remain under quarantine and will continue to undergo increased surveillance testing for at least two weeks.

The suspension of poultry activities including auctions, flea markets, shows, and exhibitions involving live birds will remain in effect until further notice.

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