SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) -- Georgia has confirmed the first positive case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a commercial poultry operation, according to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
The case was reported in Elbert County, north of Augusta. This is the first confirmed case in a commercial poultry facility in Georgia, and the fifth detection in the state of Georgia. As a result, all in-state poultry exhibitions, show, swaps, meets, and sales are suspended until further notice.
The location where the case was found is being cleaned and disinfected, and surrounding poultry farms have been placed under a quarantine.
The Commissioner said this is a serious threat to Georgia's #1 industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state's poultry industry. He went on to say, "We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible."
Officials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture say no affected animals entered the food chain so it does not pose risk to the food supply, and the risk of human infection with avian influenza is very low.