For the first time during the 2022-25 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, the presence of the virus has been confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Georgia.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), HPAI was confirmed in a flock of 45,500 commercial broilers in Ebert County on January 17.
Prior to this, the only instance of HPAI in a commercial operation in Georgia was a raised-for-release waterfowl flock in Sumter County, involving 30,000 birds. That case was confirmed in November 2023.
Upon discovery of this HPAI infection, the Georgia Department of Agriculture suspended all poultry exhibitions that display live birds, shows, swaps, meets and sales. However, because no live birds are featured and because of the strong biosecurity practices in place at the show, the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, slated for January 27-29, will continue as scheduled.
Avian influenza in Ohio
APHIS confirmed the presence of HPAI in two commercial flocks in Darke County, Ohio, on January 17.
One of those was a flock of 103,200 commercial laying hens and the other was a flock of 250,000 layer pullets.
On the previous day, HPAI was confirmed in a flock of 1,432,000 laying hens in Mercer County.
APHIS also provided an update on a previously reported case of HPAI in a commercial meat turkey flock in Mercer County. That flock involved 4,500 birds.
Avian influenza in California
A flock of 208,200 commercial layer pullets in Livingston County is California’s most recent case of HPAI, with that flock infection being confirmed on January 15. This is the state’s fourth commercial operation to be struck by HPAI in 2025.
Avian influenza in Minnesota
Minnesota had its first commercial poultry flock infection of 2025, when the presence of HPAI was confirmed in a meat turkey flock in Dakota County. There were 79,500 turkeys involved.
Avian influenza in Maryland
A case of HPAI earlier reported as “presumed positive” in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, was confirmed on January 16. In this instance, 146,900 commercial broilers were affected.
Avian influenza in Indiana
APHIS reported that two commercial flocks in Jay County, Indiana, have been struck by HPAI. One was reported as a commercial meat turkey flock and the other was a commercial egg laying flock. APHIS has not released information concerning how many birds were in either flock.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
