Avian Flu – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
We have received reports of a small number of dead birds around the harbour and it is possible that this is due to avian flu. The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It mainly affects birds.
Do not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds.
Dogs should be kept away from any carcasses.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch wild bird faeces or feathers. For more advice go to the NHS website.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline 03459 335577 or online at www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds
Defra may collect some of these birds and test them to help understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of bird, not all birds will be collected. Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and not all dead birds will have been infected with avian influenza.
Where dead birds are not required for surveillance purposes it is the landowner’s responsibility to safely dispose of the carcases.