$1.267 Million Approved to Combat Bird Flu’s Threat to Minnesota Wildlife: What You Need to Know

In a pivotal move, Governor Tim Walz recently approved $1.267 million in funding to tackle the rising threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and its devastating impact on Minnesota's wildlife. The funding, announced on January 3, 2025, is designed to support researchers at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in their efforts to understand and mitigate the spread of this deadly virus among free-ranging animals.

For two years, HPAI, commonly referred to as "bird flu," has made headlines as it wreaks havoc on the poultry industry, affecting birds and mammals alike. While the virus has been well-documented in domestic poultry and certain wild bird populations, its transmission to other species, such as cows and humans, has raised new concerns. However, little is known about its impact on wild animals, which is why this new research initiative comes at a critical moment for Minnesota’s ecosystem.

Research to Address Urgent Threats

The funding has been allocated through the Emerging Issues Account, managed by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). This fund is designed to support urgent research that could significantly impact Minnesota's natural resources or human health if left unchecked. The University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, under the leadership of professors Arno Wuenschmann and Declan Schroeder, will spearhead a collaborative effort to better understand HPAI's spread, specifically its threat to Minnesota wildlife.

"This funding will allow us to rapidly respond to the needs of Minnesota’s wildlife, ensuring we are prepared in the event of a resurgence of HPAI this spring," said Laura Molgaard, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Our interdisciplinary approach is uniquely positioned to address the links between animal, human, and environmental health, making us a key player in combating this emerging threat."

Key Goals of the Program

The research team’s goal is clear: establish a robust wildlife virus surveillance program to monitor and understand the spread of HPAI across the state. The program will involve the collaboration of a wide range of professionals and organizations, including state, federal, and tribal biologists, wildlife rehabilitation centers, zoos, and other wildlife protection groups.

The team will focus on:

• Establishing a wildlife health network by training rehabilitators and tribal biologists to safely collect and submit samples to the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

• Collecting and testing 9,000 samples from free-ranging birds and mammals across Minnesota to detect HPAI virus presence.

• Using a newly developed assay to rapidly confirm the virus in collected samples, allowing for real-time reporting of results to those who submitted the samples.

The Importance of Real-Time Data

The rapid spread of HPAI in wild and domestic animals, including mammals, poses an urgent risk to public health and agriculture. Wuenschmann notes, “The current HPAI outbreak is a ticking time bomb for animal and human health — it is two years in and the virus continues to spread in unforeseen patterns beyond birds.”

By developing a greater understanding of which species are impacted and how the virus spreads, the research team hopes to improve mitigation strategies and provide early warnings to the public, the agricultural community, and health authorities.

The team will also offer weekly updates through a publicly accessible web page, where anonymized data from the project will be shared to help keep Minnesotans informed about the virus's movement and potential risks.

A New Resource for Future Virus Outbreaks

This new initiative will not only provide valuable data on HPAI, but also lay the foundation for future wildlife health programs. By creating a network of experts and resources, the University of Minnesota hopes to build a model for addressing future virus outbreaks involving free-ranging animals in the state.

As the threat of HPAI looms, this collaborative effort could be crucial in helping Minnesota's wildlife and agricultural sectors navigate the evolving dangers of zoonotic diseases.