Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper Issues Statement Following Confirmation of HPAI in Texas Panhandle Region Dairy Cattle Potentially Impacting Milk Production

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper issued the following statement regarding the confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in samples from dairy cattle herds in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico.

“I want to reassure all Georgians that the situation in Texas has in no way impacted the safety of milk products available in Georgia and, at this time, no cattle in our state have been impacted,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “Georgians can and should feel confident that the milk products in their local grocery store are safe and wholesome, and this situation does not represent a threat to public health at present. Our team at the Department is in constant communication with USDA, FDA, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Georgia Milk Producers Association, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association to reinforce and enhance biosecurity measures and provide updates to key stakeholders in our state.”

The United States Department of Agriculture is the lead agency on this investigation, and additional details are available in their press release here. Additional questions regarding the situation in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico can be sent to APHISpress@usda.gov. More information about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is available here and more information on biosecurity measures is available here.