3 million birds dead as cost mounts

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota's avian flu toll topped 3 million birds Monday as officials predict more than $7 million of state money will be needed to fight the spreading outbreak.

At the same time, officials are looking for ways to prevent the spread of the flu, mostly among turkey flocks, even though they have no proof about how it spreads. If, as suspected, the flu is spread by migrating wild waterfowl, about a week and a half remains in the annual duck and goose spring migration.

Statewide elected officials Monday approved extending a state emergency for 30 days and the Dayton administration is looking into whether a National Guard mobile laboratory could be used to speed testing and if settling dust with water could prevent the flu's spread.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/region/3732865-3-million-birds-dead-cost-mounts