DFL Lawmaker's Bird Flu Comments Criticized

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota legislator is under fire for comments he made about bird flu.

Rep. Ron Erhardt wore a lab coat and stethoscope on the state House floor Tuesday.

The Edina Democrat told lawmakers he felt flu symptoms over the weekend after eating turkey. He then held up a jar marked "bird flu vaccine" and said it would slow the virus down.

A strain of bird flu has led to the deaths of more than 5 million Minnesota birds in recent months.

Lawmakers in both parties immediately criticized Erhardt for what they saw as a tasteless joke.

The Minnesota Jobs Coalition wants Erhardt and the head of the House DFL caucus to apologize.

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