Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Backyard Flock in Henry County, GA

ATLANTA, GA – Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a non-commercial, backyard (non-poultry) flock located in Henry County, Georgia. The flock consists of approximately 45 birds of mixed species. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Georgia since January 2025, the second detection in a backyard flock this year, and the fourth overall detection in the state in 2025. Avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply, and no affected animals have entered the food chain. The risk of human infection remains very low.
 
“Backyard flocks that frequently interact with native wildlife, particularly waterfowl & vultures, have a higher risk of contracting Avian Influenza, and we’re continuing to ask flock owners to closely monitor the health of their birds and immediately report any suspected illness,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “I am incredibly proud of our response effort. Our team deployed immediately to the affected premises worked swiftly to successfully contain the disease, prevent any further spread, and decontaminate the premises.” 
 
As the top poultry producer in America, the State of Georgia remains a model for the nation in HPAI prevention, detection, and mitigation. Since it began in 2022, the ongoing, nationwide outbreak of HPAI has affected more than 174,890,000 million birds across the country according to USDA. Only 205,000 of those 174,890,000 birds have been in the State of Georgia.
 
On August 29, 2025, the flock owners reported increased mortality in their birds to the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). That same day, GDA officials were dispatched to the location to collect samples, which were tested for the presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus in the flock by the GPLN and USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), and confirmed positive for the presence of HPAI on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. GDA officials completed depopulation, disposal, & cleaning & disinfection operations on Saturday, August 30, 2025, to mitigate the further spread of HPAI.

Transmission most likely occurred through interaction with wild birds or environmental exposure to virus shed by infected wild birds. There are no commercial poultry or dairy cattle operations within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius of the affected premises.

The GDA maintains a close working relationship with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the state's lead human health agency. DPH is coordinating with local public health officials to conduct appropriate testing and surveillance with individuals who may have had direct contact with the affected animals. GDA staff who visited the affected premises conducted operations in Level C PPE and followed strict biosecurity protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, Department employees who were onsite will participate in a 10-day surveillance period. 
 
It is critical that flock owners implement robust biosecurity measures to protect their birds from HPAI. Poultry owners are strongly encouraged to monitor their flocks closely and report any sudden increase in illness or unexpected deaths to the Avian Influenza Hotline at 770-766-6850. More information is available on the Department's website. For further information concerning biosecurity tips, visit:

Protect Your Flock (Georgia Dept. of Ag)
Defend the Flock - Resource Center (USDA APHIS)
AI Information for Hunters (USDA)
Avian Influenza FAQ
Protect Your Livelihood PDF