Georgia poultry owners urged to move flocks inside

Owners of backyard and pastured poultry are urged by the state veterinarian to move their flocks inside.

The recommendation by Georgia State Veterinarian Robert Cobb is in response to a Jan. 14 confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Indiana, according to a news release.

All poultry with outside access must be moved into biosecure housing until further notice, Cobb said in a memorandum to Georgia's poultry producers. If that's not possible, the Georgia Department of Agriculture should be notified immediately.

Cobb has instructed poultry producers to put into place strict biosecurity on their premises and to notify their employees, growers and service personnel of the increased risk of the avian influenza. He emphasized the importance of preventing flocks from coming into contact with wild waterfowl or their droppings.

No human infections have been associated with avian influenza.

For information about the avian influenza go to www.ga-ai.org or call 855-491-1432.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Georgia poultry owners urged to move flocks inside ."