Ban on isle visitors over bird flu fears
VISITORS have been banned from two islands popular with nature lovers over bird flu fears.
NatureScot, which manages Scotland’s reserves, announced yesterday that tourist landings on the Isle of May, in the Firth of Forth, and Isle of Noss, in Shetland, will cease from Friday.
The measure comes amid growing concern over the spread and impact of the current H5N1 strain of avian flu, particularly in seabird colonies.
Large numbers of dead and sick seabirds, including gannets, have been seen at locations including Aberdeen and East Lothian.
Eileen Stuart, of NatureScot, said: “We are increasingly concerned about the devastating impact avian flu is having.”