ELBERT COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia Department of Agriculture officials announced Wednesday that they have found a second case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), known as bird flu, in a second commercial poultry flock.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed the second case of bird flu was also identified in Elbert County.

“HPAI remains a serious threat to our state’s economy, Georgia’s #1 industry, and the health and safety poultry in our state, and our team at the Georgia Department of Agriculture responded immediately to start depopulation, disposal, and cleaning & disinfecting operations,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The close proximity of the affected premises allowed our team to respond to both cases concurrently, and while those operations continue, our law enforcement officers are maintaining a secure perimeter to prevent further spread.”

All poultry sales, exhibitions, shows, swaps, and meets were suspended after the first reported case of bird flu was found in a commercial poultry flock on Jan. 17.

“While the current suspension of poultry activities remains in place, retail sales of poultry products like meat and eggs as well as poultry production and processing operations are not impacted by the suspension,” according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Notifications will be issued when the suspension is lifted.

For more information on suspended activities, click here.