With $1.267 million in funding approved by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on January 3, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will lead a collaborative effort to address highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and its emerging threat to Minnesota wildlife.
Since 2022 HPAI has made headlines for its devastating impact on free-ranging birds, free-ranging mammals and the poultry industry. More information is emerging about its spread to cows and humans, yet little is known about its impact on wild animals.
Through the Emerging Issues Account, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) recommended expedited funds for more research into HPAI’s impact on Minnesota wildlife. The account supports efforts to address unexpected and urgent needs, especially those where a delay could threaten natural resources or human health. This timing is critical to prepare for a potential resurgence of HPAI this spring.
“The College of Veterinary Medicine is uniquely equipped to advance Minnesota's health and well-being through cutting-edge research, workforce development, and exceptional diagnostic and clinical services,” said Laura Molgaard, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Our interdisciplinary approach is a key asset in addressing the connections between human and animal health and finding solutions to this critical issue for Minnesota.”
College of Veterinary Medicine professors Arno Wuenschmann and Declan Schroeder aim at establishing a Minnesota wildlife virus surveillance program, collaborating with state, federal and tribal biologists; wildlife rehabilitation centers; zoos; the Humane Society’s wildlife unit and others.
The team will:
- Establish a wildlife health network of rehabilitators and tribal biologists that will be trained to safely collect and submit samples to the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
- Collect and test 9,000 samples from free-ranging birds and mammals across the state for HPAI virus.
- Run a newly established assay, developed in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Schroeder Lab, that quickly confirms the presence of live HPAI virus in samples. Results will be reported to submitters in real time.
“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 to wild and domestic mammals, including humans.” said Wuenschmann.
Having greater understanding of the virus and which species its impacting will help experts develop better mitigation strategies and warnings for the public, and agricultural and health sectors. As part of the program, anonymized results will be reported in weekly updates on a publicly accessible University of Minnesota web page.
The team hopes this program can serve as a new resource for future virus outbreaks in Minnesota involving free-ranging animals.
