Over $1 Million In Minnesota Lottery Proceeds To Go To Researching Bird Flu In The State

CBS Minnesota

January 7, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — Health officials in Louisiana reported the first human death linked to bird flu in the United States just days after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz approved more than $1.2 million to research avian influenza in wildlife.

The funding stems from a ballot question brought forth to voters in the November election. By an overwhelming majority, 77% voted in favor of directing 40% of the state's lottery proceeds toward the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

The newly approved money will go to researchers at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine to study the emerging threat of avian influenza. Partnering with a network of wildlife rehabilitators and tribal biologists, they will collect and test samples from wild birds and mammals for the virus.

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