Georgia officials suspended the sale of poultry in the state after confirming a positive case of bird flu in a commercial operation, threatening one of the state's prime industries.

As bird flu swept through Europe in 2023, the U.S. enacted import bans. In October 2023, France became the first major poultry exporter to vaccinate farm-raised ducks nationwide. While there was some debate that vaccinated birds might mask infection signs, the U.S. and Canada were convinced enough to lift restrictions last week.

Georgia, the top US chicken-producing state, confirmed its second recent case of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock, putting exports of the meat at risk.