Swans fall victim to avian influenza spreading in West
While the main disease focus is rightly on coronavirus, avian influenza is having an impact in the countryside Alex Green reports
RESIDENTS are being urged to stay away from sick or dead birds after two swans in the Falmouth area were found to have been infected with avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
The bodies of the birds were collected by the Animal Plant Health Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Tests confirmed that both birds were infected with the H5N8 strain of the virus, the council has confirmed.
Cornwall Council is working with Public Health England, Defra and other agencies to closely monitor the situation however there is not believed to be any immediate risk to human health.
It comes after there have been cases of the “highly pathogenic” strain in Dawlish and Exmouth in Devon in recent months.
A warning was issued to bird owners in November about the dangers of H5N8. New rules were also introduced. This followed confirmation that swans in Dawlish had died from the disease.
In response to the bird flu cases, thousands of birds across the country have been slaughtered.
Temporary control zones are declared around premises when the virus is detected. Last year an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared across the whole of England in order to prevent the disease spreading.
This requires bird keepers to house their animals securely in order to prevent contact with wild birds.
Ruth Goldstein, deputy director of public health at Cornwall Council, said: “The risk to human health from avian influenza is low and we’d like to reassure residents that this virus is in no way linked to Covid-19.
“While incidents of this nature are rare in Cornwall, multiple species of wild birds have been found to be positive for avian influenza in locations across England.”
The UK’s chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “Following a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds we have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease.
“It is important that bird keepers ensure they are doing all they can to maintain and strengthen biosecurity measures on their premises to prevent further outbreaks, including keeping their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.
“People should avoid contact with
‘Incidents are rare, but multiple wild bird speces have been found to be infected’ RUTH GOLDSTEIN
dead or sick wild birds and report findings of dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and select option 7.”
Wild birds migrating to the UK from mainland Europe and Asia during the winter period can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds.
Bird keepers, whether they have hundreds or only one or two birds, are reminded to familiarise themselves with the government’s avian flu advice and ensure their birds are housed appropriately.