California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation on Wednesday in response to growing concerns over bird flu cases in the state and across the country.

California Gov. Gavin Newson declared a state of emergency in response to the growing number of cases of bird flu in the state, a move he insisted was a preventative measure. “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,

Bird flu virus has swept through farms across the nation’s largest dairy producing state. All human cases had been mild - until now.