A second confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported in a wild bird, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Friday.
A chickadee found in Ramsey county on June 10 tested positive for avian influenza. It joins a Cooper’s hawk from Yellow Medicine County as the two birds confirmed to have the ailment that has decimated turkey flocks across the state.
“This is further evidence that while waterfowl species can serve as a reservoir for avian influenza, other species are susceptible to the disease,” said Lou Cornicelli, wildlife research manager for the DNR.
Cornicelli noted since the chickadee was not turned in to the DNR, the agency is unsure what strain of avian flu killed the bird.
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