Michigan has declared an “extraordinary animal health emergency” after the spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza.

H5N1 can quickly wipe out entire flocks of domestic chickens, and Bridge Michigan states that it has already spread in poultry and cattle in six Michigan counties.

The risk-reduction response order establishes robust biosecurity practices to help prevent further outbreaks.

All Michigan dairy farms and poultry operations must follow several procedures, including establish a biosecurity manager and establish a perimeter that limits access to livestock, as well as several others. A full list of procedures can be found here. 

While the virus poses a very low risk to humans, cattle, poultry, and birds are all at a high risk.