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.

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.

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. Gov. Tim Walz approved funds Friday from the state lottery-generated Environment and Natural Resources Fund for researchers at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine to study the flu.