Lawmakers Shore Up Response Funds As Bird Flu Wracks State

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are aiming to provide extra money as the state struggles to get a bird flu outbreak under wraps.

The deadly H5N2 virus continues to spread in the nation's largest turkey producing state. Twenty-eight farms had been hit as of Tuesday, killing more than 1 million birds. Federal officials have sent in several teams of experts to Minnesota to monitor and stem the virus' spread.

The Senate approved a bill Tuesday providing nearly $900,000 in emergency funds for response efforts. The House passed a similar bill last week.

Gov. Mark Dayton said Tuesday he'll sign the bill immediately. He says the state will do it everything it can to help Minnesota's turkey farmers.

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