National Guard to help in avian flu containment efforts

The Minnesota National Guard has been called on to help deal with the outbreak of avian flu sweeping through the state.

Fifteen of the guard's military water trucks will help state workers' and farmers' efforts to contain the disease. They will become part of the foaming system that is used in the process of euthanizing birds that are sick and those that have been exposed to the flu.

Gov. Mark Dayton declared a peacetime state of emergency last week to strengthen the state's response to the flu.

So far, more than 2.6 million birds have died in the outbreak, either by the flu itself or in efforts to prevent its spread.

The Guard will begin assisting Monday and work through Wednesday.