Chickens at a Weld County egg-laying facility have tested positive for avian influenza. State officials were notified that dead chickens at a Weld County commercial egg-laying facility, which houses over one million chickens, tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to a Colo rado Department of Agriculture news release. Avian flu is a viral disease that can cause severe illness and death in poultry and is often carried by migrating wild birds, according to the release. The name of the facility was not specified in the release. The news comes after Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera on Friday verbally declared a disaster in Weld County for an outbreak of the virus. The facility and the surrounding Gilcrest and Platteville areas have been placed under a quarantine order. Nearby poultry owners can report the status of their flocks through an online self-reporting form at tinyurl.com/yx66heu2. The Weld County facility is required to dispose of its animals. Flock owners can help prevent the spread of avian flu by implementing biosecurity measures such as securing flocks from wild birds and closely monitoring their flock. People are advised not to touch sick or dead wildlife. No human cases of avian flu have been reported in Colorado since summer 2024, according to the release. Reports of suspected avian flu or dead birds can be made to Colorado Wildlife and Parks at cpw.state.co.us/contact-us or to the Department of Agriculture at ag.colorado.gov/HPAIresponse. Avian flu was also detected in two backyard flocks in Larimer County and in a flock in Logan County, according to the release. Those three incidents also were confirmed in January. ...read more read less