Bird flu, or avian influenza is now sickening wild birds. As a result, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota is sounding the alarm.

Samples taken by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed avian influenza in birds in southern Minnesota, although the peak infection period seems to have passed as waterfowl

Hundreds of Canadian geese have been found dead this winter in Owatonna, Albert Lea, Waseca and other southern Minnesota cities.

Lawmakers and wildlife experts have set aside $1.27 million in state funds to help monitor the highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as “bird flu,” in Minnesota wildlife.

Gov. Tim Walz approves $1.267 million for veterinary college to lead effort to address the threat of avian influenza to wild animals.

With $1.267 million in funding approved by Governor Tim Walz on Jan. 3, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will lead a collaborative effort to address

Petersen said they will begin testing milk from dairy farms around Feb. 1. The department will work with labs to pull samples of raw or unpasteurized milk that farmers already routinely submit for testing, so there’s not an extra burden to farmers, he said.

Researchers in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will work with wildlife rehabilitators, tribal biologists and other partners across the state to collect 9,000 samples from a variety of birds and mammals.

Amid a two-year bird flu outbreak, University of Minnesota researchers will study the impact on Minnesota’s wildlife.

Nancy Gibson, co-chair of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, called the virus a "time bomb," and said no one knows the true extent of the disease which poses a threat to wildlife and humans.

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Minnesota is approving the allocation of more than $1.2 million in lottery proceeds for the research of avian influenza in wildlife. This funding will support researchers at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine as they study the growing threat posed by avian influenza.

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