Lawmakers Shore Up Response Funds as Bird Flu Wracks State

ST. PAUL (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. Thirty-one farms had been hit as of Tuesday, killing more than a million birds. Federal officials have sent in several teams of experts to Minnesota to monitor and stem the virus' spread.

The Senate was expected to approve 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.