ST. PAUL, MN—On Thursday, Governor Mark Dayton
declared a state of emergency over the avian influenza outbreak impacting farms in communities across central, western, and southern Minnesota. The order activated emergency operations to further assist federal, state, and local efforts to respond to the epidemic. Assistant Majority Leader Representative Dave Baker, R-Willmar, issued the following statement regarding the Governor's declaration:
"I want to thank Governor Dayton for taking action today and declaring a state of emergency to aid in the response to the avian flu outbreak," Baker said. "The Governor, as well as federal, state, and local health officials deserve tremendous credit for their rapid and well-coordinated response to this crisis. I'm hopeful the House and Senate can quickly pass the emergency funding to further aid in the efforts and help stop the spread of this disease."
Following Thursday's legislative session, Baker returned to Willmar to visit the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Poultry Testing Laboratory to receive an update on the status of the outbreak, and was able to thank lab technicians and administrators for their around-the-clock work to combat the spread of the avian flu.
"This has truly devastated turkey flocks in Kandiyohi County, but I want residents and farmers to know there are many talented individuals working seven days a week as hard as they can to contain this problem. Thanks to their work, and the work of other federal, state, and local health officials, our food supply remains safe and spread to humans remains extremely unlikely."
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