A case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in Walker County, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, announced the confirmation on January 14, 2026. This is the first HPAI case reported in Georgia this year and the fourth since February 2022, when a nationwide outbreak began.
“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.”
The producer noticed increased mortality among their flock on January 11th and contacted the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). Samples were collected for testing on January 12th. The GPLN confirmed HPAI later that day, with additional confirmation from USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory on January 13th.
The GDA Emergency Management Team responded by deploying to the affected premises for depopulation, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection starting January 13th. The facility housed about 71,264 broiler breeders. Operations are expected to continue through the week.
All commercial poultry operations within a six-mile radius have been quarantined and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks. GDA Law Enforcement has secured the site; only authorized personnel are allowed entry.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture was established in 1874 as one of the oldest such agencies in the United States. It plays a central role in safeguarding agriculture and consumer interests across Georgia through regulatory oversight of food safety, plant health regulations, licensing programs for agricultural producers, support for farmers’ markets and public sites statewide. Led by Commissioner Tyler J. Harper—a seventh-generation farmer—the department manages services that affect all residents by promoting compliance with agricultural practices to foster economic stability throughout Georgia.
