Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Flock in Walker County

WALKER COUNTY, GA – Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA - APHIS), confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County, Georgia. This marks the first confirmed HPAI case in 2026 and the fourth case at a commercial poultry operation in Georgia since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in February 2022.
 
“For the first time this year, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation here in Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “Avian influenza poses a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and to the thousands of Georgians whose livelihoods depend on poultry production; GDA deployed immediately, and our staff is working around the clock to prevent any further spread, protect our state’s poultry flock, and ensure minimal impact to other producers and Georgia consumers.”
 
On Sunday, January 11th, 2026, the producer noticed signs of increased mortality in their flock and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). Samples were collected and transported to the GPLN for testing on Monday, January 12th, 2026. A positive HPAI detection was confirmed by GPLN on Monday evening and further confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026.
 
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Team immediately deployed to the affected premises to conduct depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026.  The affected premises housed approximately 71,264 broiler breeders, and operations are expected to continue throughout the week.

All commercial poultry operations within a 10 Kilometer (6.2 mile) radius have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for a period of at least two weeks. In order to prevent any further spread, the affected premises have been secured by GDA Law Enforcement, and only authorized personnel may enter.