Researchers at the University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) have unveiled a publicly available online dashboard and map providing an unprecedented, county- and species-level view of avian influenza (bird flu) activity in Minnesota's wild animals.

The dashboard offers a digital window into the data collected by the Minnesota Wildlife Avian Influenza Program. This program is funded through June 2027 by the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund of the state of Minnesota and was established to address the emerging threat associated with the virus’s most dangerous strains. The currently circulating “highly pathogenic” strain, H5N1, has made headlines for its devastating impact on the poultry industry and its recent incidence in cows and humans. But little is known about the virus’s spread and impact on avian and mammalian wild animals.

The project is establishing a robust statewide surveillance network, testing thousands of samples from free-ranging birds and mammals submitted by partners across the state, including wildlife rehabilitation organizations across Minnesota, tribal nations and zoos across Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources among others.

Mapping the impact

The public dashboard provides an interactive, county- and species-level representation of avian influenza in Minnesota wildlife. This unique mapping allows experts to better visualize the virus' geographic spread and identify areas for more active surveillance.

“Being able to see how a widely spread disease like avian influenza appears on a map can provide key insights into transmission," says Tiffany Wolf, professor of wildlife epidemiology at CVM, who helped develop the map. "This map provides a critical tool for public health officials, wildlife managers, and the community. It has the potential to give us a powerful advantage in tracking and predicting the virus' next moves.”

While the map currently shows positive cases concentrated in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, researchers caution that this reflects a higher number of sample submissions from those areas. Declan Schroeder, professor of virology at CVM and one of the project leaders, noted that this underscores the vital need for expanded surveillance statewide.

“Going forward, we hope to strengthen our existing network, to truly fill in those data gaps and achieve a comprehensive statewide view in the next phase," he adds. 

H5 persistence and mammal cases drive concern

Wild birds, especially waterfowl, have long been understood to be natural “reservoirs” for avian influenza. They can be infected by a variety of strains frequently without showing any signs of illness. And migratory birds can spread viruses across vast geographical ranges.

Initial data from the surveillance program confirms expected seasonal patterns: avian influenza incidence is currently rising with the fall bird migration across the state, as it did during the spring migration. However, while each new season typically brings a new strain, the continuous circulation of the current H5 variant into its fourth year is a key finding that signals this potentially dangerous version of the virus is not going away.

“The persistence of the current strain in our wild animals is a serious signal that this virus is establishing itself in the ecosystem,” notes Arno Wuenschmann, a veterinary pathologist in the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, who leads the project along with Schroeder.

The team is particularly concerned about the virus's widening host range. Since data collection began in late 2024, they have seen positive cases in non-avian wildlife, including raccoons and mice.  More research is needed to understand exactly how wild mammals are becoming infected, whether through direct contact with sick birds or through environmental contamination.

Regardless, this shift highlights a critical public and animal health risk: If the virus establishes a persistent wild mammal reservoir, the chance increases significantly for it to mutate in a way that creates an even greater threat to humans or agricultural livestock.

Nation-leading innovation

The risk posed by an evolving, persistent virus points to the crucial gap the project fills. It's a proactive measure designed to turn the unseen threat into actionable intelligence for public health and wildlife management across the state.

The project’s first phase was made possible with funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. 

“We’re lucky to live in a state where our leaders recognize the value of a healthy ecosystem, and understand how important the outdoors are to Minnesotans,” Schroeder says. “Minnesota is really leading the way here—this project provides a model that can be replicated in other states and nationally.”