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.

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.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has approved $1.27 million in state funds to put more effort into studying the impact avian influenza, otherwise known as "bird flu," has on state wildlife.

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.

The University of Minnesota starts initiative to track bird flu's impact on wildlife, supported by $1.267 million in funding.

Health officials in Louisiana are reporting the first human death linked to bird flu in the U.S. Here in Minnesota, state lottery ticket purchases could help combat the spread of the virus. Gov. Tim Walz recently approved more than $1.