Harlan Proveaux, Chief Law Enforcement Officer with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, shared sobering news while addressing the Waycross Exchange Club recently.
Proveaux, who was introduced by Ware County Sheriff Carl James, detailed the devastating impact of an Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak that has wiped out commercial chicken farming operations in Elbert County. The outbreak, the first of its kind reported in Georgia, has claimed 210,000 birds and prompted swift action from state authorities to contain its spread.
Proveaux explained the Georgia Department of Agriculture deployed a law enforcement team to shut down the affected poultry operation. A 6.2-mile surveillance radius was established around the site, and two farms underwent rigorous decontamination efforts.
Within 48 hours, the farms were depopulated, with the birds buried to prevent further transmission.
“This was a rapid and necessary response to an unprecedented threat,” Proveaux said.
While this marked Georgia’s first encounter with avian flu, the disease is far from a stranger to the United States. Thirty-five states have reported cases, contributing to the destruction of 150 million chickens nationwide.
Experts attribute the spread primarily to wild ducks, which carry the virus and pose a risk to domestic flocks. The outbreak has been a key driver behind the skyrocketing cost of eggs across the country, a burden felt acutely in Georgia, where the state produces seven million eggs annually.
Agriculture remains Georgia’s top industry, injecting $84 billion into the state’s economy each year, with one-third of that contribution stemming from the poultry sector. The loss of 210,000 birds in Elbert County alone underscores the economic stakes of this crisis.
“This outbreak threatens not just our farmer’s but the backbone of Georgia’s economy,” Proveaux warned.
To combat the spread, Georgia has implemented stringent biosecurity measures aimed at early detection of additional outbreaks. Proveaux highlighted concerns about backyard flocks of chickens and ducks, which could serve as reservoirs for the virus and bridge the gap to commercial operations.
“We’re urging all poultry owners, no matter the scale, to remain vigilant,” he said.
The symptoms of avian flu in birds include nasal congestion, lethargy, and what Proveaux described as “acting drunk” — a telltale sign of neurological distress. Farmers and residents are encouraged to report any suspicious bird behavior to authorities immediately.
Nationally, the avian flu outbreak has strained food supply chains and driven egg prices to historic heights. In Georgia, where poultry is a cornerstone of both culture and commerce, the road to recovery will require coordinated efforts between farmers, regulators, and the public. For now, the state’s agriculture officials remain on high alert, determined to safeguard an industry too vital to fail.
