(The Center Square) – Weld County will continue to receive support to deal with the outbreak of avian flu as Colorado Governor Jared Polis extended a state disaster declaration by an additional 30 days.

Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency July 5 due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in the county. The order provided support to the agriculture sector by coordinating statewide efforts.

Polis ordered $3.5 million be transferred from the State Emergency Cash Fund to the Disaster Emergency Fund. The funds are to pay for costs associated with the monitoring and mitigation of the disease spread, response, consequence management and recovery efforts for events since July 5. The funds can be used for the covered purposes for 72 months.

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The order also provided support for statewide protective measures for dairy operations throughout the state.

Three commercial poultry facilities in Weld County killed approximately 3.4 million chickens after they were infected between July 8 and 19. Five humans were confirmed to have the virus at the commercial poultry sites detected July 19. As of July 23, 10 people were confirmed with infections associated with the commercial poultry outbreak. Despite the infected workers, the overall risk to people is considered low.

The only other state reporting a high number of avian flu infections in July was Minnesota with three flocks and 41,500 birds culled.

The order stated genomic sequencing of the virus determined the strain of the virus in the poultry facilities was the same found in the affected dairy operations. The state ordered all dairy herds to be tested for the virus after 47 herds were found to have the illness.

“This suggests that infected dairy cattle may be a significant source of the virus infecting poultry,” according to the order.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will work together under the order and collaborate with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The order authorizes expanded statewide testing and surveillance of dairy facilities to minimize and contain the spread of the virus.

The order makes personal protective equipment available from the Colorado Office of Emergency Management for response workers and support personnel at the affected sites.

The state Department of Agriculture is advising bird owners to maintain biosecurity measures, including keeping flocks away from wild birds and not touching any dead wild birds. Food and water sources should be kept away from migratory birds. Flocks should be continually monitored for signs of illnesses or deaths.