Bird Flu Found In Egg-Laying Facility, 2M Chickens Could Be Affected

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – As many as 2 million chickens may be euthanized after bird flu was found in an egg-laying facility in central Minnesota.

Jonathan Spurway, a spokesman for Rembrandt Foods, said the company's facility in Renville tested presumptive positive for the deadly virus, which has already affected more than 5.7 million birds in Minnesota since the outbreak began.

This is the second Rembrandt Foods facility to be hit by bird flu.

Spurway says the company is in contact with state and federal authorities to stop the spread of the disease.

Since bird flu started spreading this spring, close to 90 farms in Minnesota have had to put down their birds.

Over the weekend, state lawmakers approved $20 million to fight the spread of bird flu and help farmers affected by the virus.