Georgia has confirmed its first case of bird flu in a commercial poultry flock in Elberton, raising concerns about public safety and the state's $30 billion poultry industry. The infected farm, home to 45,000 chickens, is now under containment.

Professor and public health expert, George Rust, addressed public concerns, reassuring that the risk to human health remains low. Rust emphasized that while bird flu can have a high fatality rate in some cases, human-to-human transmission has not been observed. "The general public is not at risk right now," Rust said, noting that only agricultural workers or those in close contact with infected birds are more vulnerable.

Rust encouraged poultry farmers to implement strict biosecurity measures, including keeping chickens indoors to limit exposure to wild birds. He also commended the coordinated efforts of public health and agricultural agencies, which have helped prevent the spread to humans.