Avian influenza research at University of Minnesota expands to study wildlife species

With the growing expansiveness of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” researchers at the University of Minnesota are launching a collaborative effort to study its impact on wildlife species.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has made headlines for its devastating impact on free-ranging birds, mammals, and the poultry industry for two years.

On Jan. 3, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz approved $1.267 million in funding to establish a team of researchers, wildlife health network individuals, and biologists to collect and submit 9,000 samples from free-ranging birds and mammals across the state to test for the HPAI virus.

While there have been reports of the HPAI virus spreading to cats, dairy cows, and other wildlife, many unknowns remain about how the virus impacts certain species and the long-term effects.

“There are indications that are impacting the mammal population,” said Dr. Declan Schroeder, a professor of virology at the University of Minnesota and one of the leading researchers involved in the project.

Positive cases have been reported in domestic cats, dairy cows, and wildlife species. Schroeder said the University of Minnesota research initiative will provide “a better understanding of where this virus is” and how it impacts species across the state.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Dr. Declan Schroeder, a professor of virology at the University of Minnesota and one of the leading researchers involved in the project, about how avian influenza impacts birds, details of the ongoing research project, and the potential implications to humans. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins March 1, 2025