Georgian officials have confirmed the first case of infection in the state bird flususpend all in-state poultry exhibitions, displays, exchanges, meetings and sales until further notice.

A poultry producer in Elbert County noticed signs of bird flu in his flock on Wednesday. Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Samples were tested and certified by the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network and USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

Test tubes and eggs labeled “bird flu” are seen in this image. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Reuters Images)

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The GDA Emergency Management and State Agricultural Response Teams were immediately deployed to the area and began “population, cleaning and disinfection and decontamination operations” on Friday, according to officials.

Operations are expected to continue through the weekend as there are approximately 45,000 broiler breeders in the affected areas.

Georgia's agricultural response teams were immediately deployed to the infected poultry farm and began “depopulation, cleanup and disinfection and decontamination operations,” according to officials. (Photo by Mary Kang/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

All commercial poultry operations within a six-mile radius have been quarantined and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks, according to the GDA.

According to officials, poultry exhibitions, displays, exchanges and sales (flea market or auction market) in Georgia are suspended until further notice. There is no word on when they will be restored.

Officials note that this case is the first confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia and the fifth in the state.

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In a media briefing on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed public risk remains low for avian flu but is closely monitored.

There are 67 confirmed people bird flu cases Since 2022, 66 will occur in 2024, according to the CDC.

According to officials, bird flu has been confirmed in 67 people. (iStock / iStock)

“For the first time since the ongoing, nationwide outbreak began in 2022, HPAI (bird flu) has been confirmed in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper. “This is a serious threat to Georgia's No. 1 industry and the livelihood of thousands of Georgians living in our state. poultry industry. We are working around the clock to prevent the further spread of the disease and to ensure that normal poultry operations in Georgia are restored as soon as possible.”

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The CDC advises people to avoid direct contact with wild birds or other animals suspected of being infected, and advises poultry workers to wear personal protective equipment.