Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency after a deadly bird flu outbreak hit a poultry farm in Weld County, affecting 1.8 million chickens. The virus also infected a dairy farm worker, though he recovered with mild symptoms. Officials assure the public that the risk to humans is low but warn those in contact with sick animals to take precautions. Meanwhile, the bird flu continues to spread, impacting several dairy herds in Colorado and Michigan. The situation has prompted urgent measures to control the outbreak and protect both livestock and people.

Following the recent announcement that 1.8 million chickens in northeastern Weld County have contracted highly dangerous avian flu, Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared an emergency disaster in his state.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on May 8, 2019. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

According to a statement from his office released on July 8, the governor "verbally" proclaimed a catast...