The Georgia Department of Agriculture says it is suspending until further notice the sale of all “poultry and feathered fowl” at events such as trade shows, flea markets, etc.

It’s a proactive measure being taken as reports of a highly contagious strain of avian influenza has been identified in parts of the U.S. Georgia officials say Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been found “in commercial operations and a backyard flock in Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.”

No cases of bird flu have been ID’d in Georgia.

From a Wednesday press release, the Ga. Dept of Agriculture says: “Effective immediately all exhibitions, shows, sales (flea markets, auction markets), swaps, and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in the State of Georgia are suspended until further notice. Notifications will be announced when listed activities can resume in Georgia.”

The state is also insisting poultry producers take biosecurity measures now to protect their product. That includes keeping birds inside and limiting their exposure to outdoor water sources.

Georgia’s poultry industry is a key agriculture driver in the state, worth $4 billion a year.

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