University of Minnesota Secures $1.267M to Combat Avian Influenza’s Growing Threat to Wildlife

(KNSI) — The University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine has gotten $1.267 million to spearhead an initiative to tackle highly pathogenic avian influenza and its growing threat to wildlife.

For the past two years bird flu has had devastating effects on free-ranging birds, mammals, and the poultry industry, but its impact on wild animals remains poorly understood. The research aims to establish a wildlife health network and train rehabilitators to safely collect and submit samples to the U’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. It will also analyze 9,000 samples from free-ranging birds and mammals across Minnesota for HPAI and utilize investigative procedures to rapidly detect live virus. Results will be shared with submitters in real time.

Funding for this research was expedited through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) via the Emerging Issues Account. This account addresses needs that could threaten natural resources or human health if delayed.

Experts call the ongoing HPAI outbreak a “ticking time bomb” for animal and human health. The HPAI virus was detected in a human in Louisiana recently, and Monday that patient died. Professors overseeing the research say the spread of the virus is unpredictable and it’s not just about birds anymore. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has instituted testing and movement regulations for dairy cattle.

Researchers say understanding which species are affected by HPAI will enable experts to develop better mitigation strategies and issue timely warnings to the public, as well as to agricultural and health sectors.

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