On Dec. 24, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) is investigating a number of wild waterfowl deaths in the first half of December, likely caused by avian influenza. Through December 17 there were 29 reports from 20 counties in the southern half of Minnesota, according to DNR wildlife health supervisor Erik Hildebrand. The dead waterfowl were Canada geese as well as some tundra swans and trumpeter swans.

The number of dead birds ranged from a handful to more than 50, according to wildlife health supervisor Erik Hildebrand. “The fact that we were seeing mortality with the waterfowl species, that’s kind of an eye-opener,” he said. “Because not all avian influenza viruses kill waterfowl, since they are the host reservoir for the virus.” By comparison, Minnesota had five confirmed wild waterfowl deaths from avian influenza in December 2023, according to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database.

The reports of dead waterfowl have slowed in the past week, but there is concern about scavengers contracting the virus because of the number of waterfowl deaths. Anyone spotting more than five dead waterfowl is asked to report the location to the DNR. People should avoid contact with the dead birds. Earlier this month, health officials in Wisconsin reported that state’s first human case of highly-contagious avian flu.