Bird Flu Prompts Governor to Declare Peacetime Emergency (UPDATE)

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Governor Mark Dayton has issued an emergency order declaring a Peacetime State of Emergency in Minnesota because of the spreading outbreaks of an especially lethal form of bird flu.

His order, which he announced during a news conference Thursday afternoon, activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and authorizes the use of National Guard troops should their assistance be needed.

Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Agriculture Department announced there have been two additional confirmed outbreaks in the state. One is in Pipestone County and the other is in Kandiyohi County. It marks the first time the H5N2 virus has been detected in Pipestone County, where the bird flu was found in a backyard flock of about 150 chickens and turkeys.

Overall, there have now been 46 outbreaks confirmed in 16 counties involving over 2.6 million birds.