OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts declared an emergency to make sure state agencies have what they need to battle bird flu in the state.
Earlier this week, agriculture officials confirmed the contagious disease's presence in a flock of 1.7 million chickens in Dixon County, Nebraska. Ricketts issued his declaration Wednesday.
Several state agencies are working to quarantine the farm where the disease was found and carry out the destruction of the infected birds.
Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach says the declaration will give him additional resources to respond to the disease outbreak.
Officials say the bird flu doesn't represent a significant health risk to humans.
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