Minnesota Bird Flu Emergency Declaration Likely To Be Extended

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Governor Mark Dayton will convene his Executive Council on Monday as Minnesota responds to a bird flu outbreak that has killed millions of birds in the state's poultry industry.

The council will consider extending for up to 30 days the state of emergency Dayton declared on Thursday. The governor's order activates an emergency operations plan to support the state response to the epidemic.

On Saturday, Dayton along with U.S. Senator Al Franken and U.S. Representative Collin Peterson met with emergency responders and turkey producers in Willmar — home to Jennie-O Turkey Store, the country's Number 2 turkey processor. Kandiyohi County is Minnesota's top turkey producing county.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota National Guard will use 15 military trucks to deliver water as part of its initial response to the outbreak.

The state Department of Public Safety says the trucks will provide large amounts of water needed in foaming systems being used to euthanize diseased flocks to contain the virus.

Thirty National Guard soldiers will be used in the mission. The Star Tribune reports the trucks come from the Willmar-based 682nd Engineer Battalion and the Brooklyn Park-based A Company, 134th Brigade Support Battalion.

The soldiers start working Monday and continue through Wednesday.

The Guard was activated as part of Governor Mark Dayton's declaration of a state of emergency.