Bird flu updates

Bird Flu Update March 2023 – Our Science Work

2023-03-07T15:44:00Z

Taking on the role of Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza has been a steep learning curve for me, but due to the unprecedented nature of the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the UK and worldwide, we are all still grappling with a lot of unknowns.

This strain of the virus (H5N1) has hit an array of previously unaffected species and it remained widespread all throughout summer 2022, something unheard-of in previous outbreaks. It is crucial that we increase knowledge and understanding of how this virus operates and what impact it is having on different species and populations of birds. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and we need increased research funding and effort across the UK, as well as internationally. At the RSPB, our Conservation Science team have been hard at work contributing to the generation of knowledge on this pressing issue.

In summer 2022, the UK’s seabird populations were hit extremely hard by HPAI, with tens of thousands of birds dying across the UK. Seabirds are long-lived, take several years to reach breeding age and rear only one or two chicks per year, so it is particularly difficult for them to recover from such an impact. In response to the gravity of this situation, we are undertaking additional survey work to quantify the impacts of the 2022 HPAI outbreak on the numbers of UK seabirds returning to breed in 2023. We will be doing repeat counts for selected species and colonies for which we have pre-HPAI data, which will allow us to address key evidence gaps. It may also result in changes to the Conservation Status of some species, which could influence nature conservation actions, and it will produce updated population counts for use when assessing the impacts of offshore windfarm developments.

As well as seabirds, we are also funding research on the impact of HPAI on the Svalbard breeding population of Barnacle Geese, which overwinters on the Solway Firth and was severely hit in winter 2021/22 when at least 13,200 birds perished. The study we have commissioned is looking at the age, sex and breeding site origin of Barnacle Geese dying of and surviving HPAI during that winter on the Solway. This study is using a range of methods, including collating data on dead colour-ringed birds and sightings of live birds. It will also compare age ratios of live birds in flocks before and during the outbreak with age ratios discerned from photo samples of dead birds taken at three main sites (including RSPB Mersehead).

On an international level, we are undertaking a global literature review to gather and summarise data describing the long-to-medium term population-level impacts of HPAI on wild birds. This project is exploring whether outbreaks tend to be short-lived, with populations bouncing back quickly, or whether they tend to persist and have longer term impacts. It will also look at how patterns differ between species.

Aside from gaining a better understanding of how the virus has impacted certain populations, we also need increased virological knowledge of H5N1. To this end, our Conservation Science team are involved in collecting blood samples from gannets to study immunology and recovery, and a paper on this work is currently underway. Staff will also be trained to collect blood samples and swabs from live birds being caught for ringing or tracking studies to test for HPAI immunity and infection, to increase the amount of testing possible and to facilitate testing at hard-to-access sites.

To bring together all of our existing and planned projects in this area, we will be increasing our staff capacity for scientific work on HPAI in the coming months. This will help us further boost our knowledge and understanding of the virus and provide a solid evidence base for future decisions at an operational level, as well as informing our efforts to push governments across the UK to improve their response to this crisis. It will also allow us and others to target the right conservation measures at the right populations.

We would like to thank the following organisations for generous support and/or collaboration: BTO; JNCC; NatureScot; Natural England; Natural Resources Wales; Ørsted; Forth and Tay Regional Advisory Group; Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Ltd; Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd; SSE Renewables; University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow; Heriot-Watt University; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Scottish Seabird Centre; UKCEH.

Much of this hugely important work would not be possible without the support received through our Avian Flu Appeal and so a huge thank you to all those who contributed.

Although the risk of humans contracting avian flu is very low, we recommend that people avoid touching sick or dead wild birds. You can report dead wild birds on the Defra website.

Jean Duggan, Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza

Bird Flu Update – December 2022

2022-12-15T14:03:00Z

After a devastating summer for our seabirds as a result of the worst-ever avian flu outbreak to date, we have been monitoring the return of our wintering wildfowl populations with bated breath.

When I took up the post of Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza at the start of November 2022, things were looking relatively quiet, as captured in our October update from Islay. There had been one significant outbreak on the Isle of Man, primarily among Greylag Geese, but no other noteworthy reports at that time. Since then, I have sadly watched the numbers creep up. As the person in charge of monitoring our data and receiving reports of dead birds, it’s been clear to me that although we have not seen a big impact on a single species and location this autumn/winter so far, we are seeing numbers rise across a wide range of birds and sites. So far, 65 different species have tested positive for avian flu in the UK since summer 2021, with over 80 species affected worldwide. In November, the virus also reached South America.

We have been receiving regular reports of small but widespread outbreaks across the UK’s four countries, as well as more significant numbers of dead Herring Gulls in the Firth of Forth. We also have a worrying situation on Islay, where the numbers of dead Greenland Barnacle Geese are now increasing rapidly. Islay is also the wintering ground for Greenland White-Fronted Geese, which are of particular conservation concern.

There has been a large outbreak at Findhorn Bay in Moray and NatureScot has asked members of the public and goose shooters to avoid the area to minimise the possible impact of avian flu on wild birds. In addition, there have been reports of notable numbers of dead birds, particularly swans and geese, in urban parks, with as many as 76 Mute Swans dead at Hogganfield Park in Glasgow.

Cases of raptors dying from avian flu are also a big concern, with approximately 160 positive tests this year in birds such as Sparrowhawks, Peregrine Falcons, Hen Harriers, White-Tailed Eagles and Common Buzzards. We are also concerned about a number of positive cases found in pheasants after an RSPB call for a moratorium on gamebird releases this autumn went unheeded. The release of large numbers of non-native birds into our countryside during the continued rampage of a deadly avian virus seems beyond questionable. We have been seeking responses and information from governments and relevant agencies, so far to no avail. We will be monitoring the data on gamebird cases to inform and strengthen a call for a moratorium next year if the avian influenza situation persists, which seems increasingly likely.

As numbers continue to creep up, our concern grows for our wintering populations as well as other affected species such as raptors. If the situation continues, our seabirds may be in for another devastating summer in 2023. We cannot allow this to happen. Our seabird populations are of global significance and are already under massive pressure from human impacts including climate change, lack of prey fish, deaths through entanglement in fishing gear and development pressure.

The current strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - H5N1 - is yet another human-caused threat to our wildlife, having developed through mutation in the packed conditions of intensive poultry farming and then spilling over into wild bird populations. At the RSPB, and working with BirdLife partners, we are doing everything we can to keep our staff and the public safe, to reduce potential spread of the virus, to fund surveys and research to improve understanding of the impact of this disease, and to pressure governments to take the necessary actions before it’s too late.

If you’d like to support our work, you can make a donation to our Avian Flu Appeal.

Although the risk of humans contracting the disease is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds. You can report dead wild birds on the Defra website.

Jean Duggan, Policy Assistant – Avian Influenza

Bird flu update from Islay, October 2022

2022-10-11T15:12:00Z

The bird flu virus has had catastrophic effects on the UK’s breeding seabirds this summer, causing thousands of deaths and affecting the whole coast of the UK. Particularly badly affected were gannets, great skuas and terns. Overall, over sixty species of birds have tested positive, including six species of raptor.

Once breeding finished, the seabirds dispersed, and since then we have not had any major outbreaks. Bird flu is still very much with us however, with a steady stream of incidents in wild birds across the UK. Our migratory wading birds, geese and ducks are now returning for the winter, and the risk is either that they bring the disease with them or that they catch it from birds here that already have it. Worryingly, two hundred dead Greenland barnacle geese have been reported in Iceland, which is the staging area on their route to Britain and Ireland.

Here on Islay, we don’t know what the autumn will bring. The barnacle and white fronted geese are arriving from Greenland, on Friday 10,000 arrived and then yesterday the wind turned to the north and more were flooding in. This morning I counted 24,200 barnacle geese and 113 white fronted geese on the reserve. It is always an exciting time on the reserve, perhaps tarnished a little this year with the apprehension of how many geese will return and will they return with bird flu. So far, the numbers look good, it is still too early to see how many young they have with them and get a bigger picture of the population.

We have not seen any sick birds yet. We have all the Personal Protective Equipment ready, and the name of the game just now is lots of monitoring to build up a picture of what has happened on the breeding and staging grounds.

James How, Senior Site Manager Islay Reserves

Bird Flu Update June 2022

2022-06-01T15:08:00Z

The 2021/22 outbreak of HPAI is still affecting wild bird populations in the UK. This has been the worst ever outbreak of HPAI in the UK and has not only affected a large number of birds but is ongoing over a long time period. You can see previous blogs for more information and the story of the unprecedented impact this strain of HPAI has had, causing the loss of a third of the Solway barnacle geese population. We have been in unchartered territory with the disease this year and its effects on wild birds. This is continuing with the focus now being on seabirds in Scotland.

Late last summer, sick and dead great skuas were found in Shetland, Orkney, St Kilda and the Flannan Isles and they tested positive for HPAI. This happened just prior to migration – the species winters off North and West Africa – so the scale of impact on the population was unclear. Now the skuas are back and RSPB Scotland is collating data from colonies to assess impacts, but we were not expected to find great skuas again sick and dying from HPAI. We are also seeing eider ducks and other seabirds including gannets succumbing to HPAI.

Britain's seabird populations are of global significance with the UK holding 56% of the worlds northern gannet population and Scotland holding 46% of the world’s northern gannets and 60% of the world’s great skuas. Both these species are amber listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. Our seabirds are already under massive pressure from human impacts including climate change, lack of prey fish, deaths through entanglement in fishing gear and development pressure. There is great concern for the potential impacts of HPAI on our already beleaguered wild birds.

The RSPB believes that to deal with future HPAI outbreaks in wild birds, improved surveillance, testing and carcass collecting is essential and that an effective plan should be put in place for biosecurity measures and disturbance minimisation to alleviate the pressures on these birds. But this is only the surface of the problem, we must take actions towards effective conservation of our wild bird species.

Full information regarding the current situation in each of the four countries, including advice for poultry keepers, can be found here:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/

Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza

Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds, remain vigilant, and report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), seabirds or birds of prey to the DEFRA helpline (03459 33 55 77). See DEFRA’s website here for more details https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Bird flu Update December 2021

2021-12-17T20:38:00Z

Right now, the UK is experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of Avian Flu and we urgently need your help... bit.ly/3e7VbB3

The current outbreak of avian influenza is the largest ever in the UK which is adding yet more pressure to our already beleaguered wild bird populations. As of Thursday 16 December, there were 60 confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in premises across the UK. In wild birds the high numbers of dead and sick birds being seen, is generating growing concern among conservationists and nature lovers. The wild bird species involved are mostly wild geese, ducks and swans, but there have also been confirmed cases in birds of prey, owls and curlew.

Of note is the situation on the Solway where ornithologists estimate 3,000-4,000 barnacle geese have died from AI. This is significant as it represents around 10% of the population of Svalbard barnacle geese that overwinter on the Solway.

Full information regarding the current situation in each of the four countries, including advice for poultry keepers, can be found here:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/

Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza

Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

Birds can be infected with the avian influenza virus through contact with infected individual birds or waste products. Wild birds including waterfowl can carry and transmit the virus without showing evidence of disease. Movements of poultry around and between countries, and the migrations of wild birds, are both known vectors of the virus. The RSPB is taking this outbreak very seriously and we are following the government guidance on our reserves and implementing biosecurity measures where needed.

Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, we recommend that people do not handle sick or dead wild birds, remain vigilant, and report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey to the government helplines. Everyone, at all times but especially now, should take care to maintain good hygiene when feeding garden birds – regularly cleaning feeders outside with mild disinfectant, removing old bird-food, spacing-out feeders as much as possible and washing your hands.

If you come across any dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey these should be reported the DEFRA helpline (03459 33 55 77). See DEFRA’s website here for more details https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

https://www.rspb.org.uk/join-and-donate/donate/appeals/avian-flu-emergency-appeal/

Bird flu update November 2021

2021-11-23T10:20:00Z

Following a number of confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in August this year, mainly amongst Great Skuas in Scotland, there have now been numerous outbreaks since the end of October. There have been cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in captive and wild birds in England, Wales and Scotland and in wild birds in Northern Ireland. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in addition to an enhanced AIPZ with additional requirements in parts of North Yorkshire in England.

Full information regarding the current situation in each of the four countries, including advice for poultry keepers, can be found here:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/

Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza

Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

Birds can be infected with the avian influenza virus through contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions or faeces. Wild birds including waterfowl are often more resistant to avian influenza than domestic birds, and can carry and transmit the virus without showing evidence of disease. This has often led to speculation that wild birds are the primary source of avian influenza spread. However, there are several ways by which avian influenza might be transmitted, and globally the most important of these has been the unrestricted movement of poultry and poultry products.

Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, you are advised not to touch any sick or dead birds, their droppings, or any water nearby. It is extremely unlikely that avian influenza could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden, but we encourage people to continue adopting good hygiene measures at bird feeding stations.

Recent cases of avian influenza

2021-02-26T16:29:00Z

There have been a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza throughout autumn and winter so far. There have been cases in captive and wild birds in all four countries of the UK.

The vast majority of these cases are of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza.

Full information regarding the current situation in each of the four countries, including advice for poultry keepers, can be found here:

England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/

Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza

Northern Ireland: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, you are advised not to touch any sick or dead birds, their droppings, or any water nearby. It is extremely unlikely that avian influenza could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden, but good hygiene at bird feeding stations is always sensible.

As a precaution, members of the public are asked to report cases of dead wild waterfowl - such as swans, geese and ducks - or gulls, or five or more dead birds of other species to Defra. (Tel: 03459 33 55 77).

Bird Flu update - 11 December 2020

2020-12-11T15:11:00Z

Recent cases of avian influenza have once again brought ‘bird flu’ in to the news.

There have been a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza so far this autumn. There have been cases in England in both captive and wild birds and a couple of confirmed cases in wild birds in Northern Ireland. There have been no cases so far in Scotland or Wales.

The vast majority of these cases are of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza.

Although the risk of contracting the disease from a wild bird is very low, you are advised not to touch any sick or dead birds, their droppings, or any water nearby. It is extremely unlikely that avian influenza could be transmitted to people by feeding birds in the garden, but good hygiene at bird feeding stations is always sensible.

Bird Flu update – 5 February 2018

2018-02-06T15:25:00Z

Following confirmation of Avian Influenza in birds at Abbotsbury in Dorset on 12 January 2018, there have now been a number of confirmed reports of bird flu in wild birds from different localities in England. Some have involved individual birds but 31 dead waterfowl tested positive for bird flu in the Dorset incident. Senior Policy Officer Robin Wynde has provided the below update.

RSPB staff have been keeping their eyes and ears open for any reports of dead birds on our nature reserves. One of the latest confirmed reports was a tufted duck that had been found dead at our Rye Meads Nature Reserve in Hertfordshire. Several other dead waterfowl from different RSPB nature reserves across the country have been tested in recent weeks but to date the only bird carrying Avian Influenza from this monitoring was this tufted duck from Rye Meads. Our Rye Meads Nature Reserve remains open.

The strain of Avian Influenza involved this winter is H5N6 and advice from Public Health England is that the risk to public health is very low. However, as a basic precaution we advise people not to pick up or touch dead birds but to report them as soon as possible. The Defra hotline (03459 33 55 77) is currently requesting reports of any dead ducks, geese, swans, gulls, or birds of prey. For all other species, please only report if five or more birds are found in the same place. If in Northern Ireland please report sightings to DAERA on 0300 200 7840.

Prevention zones requiring anyone in charge of poultry or other captive birds to ensure that they are housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds were introduced across England on 18 January and throughout Wales on 25 January. It is extremely important that poultry keepers practice good biosecurity to minimise the risk of infection spreading into domestic poultry via items such as feed, clothing or equipment. So far this year the H5N6 bird flu strain has just been found in wild birds and there have been no outbreaks in captive/domestic birds.

More information on the current bird flu situation can be found on the Defra website.

H5N8 continues to spread

2017-01-27T20:34:41Z

New outbreaks of avian influenza H5N8 this week in a commercial turkey flock in Lincolnshire, and a commercial flock of farmed breeding pheasants Lancashire, suggest that that the virus is continuing to spread. There have now been a total of six outbreaks of H5N8 in captive birds in the UK this winter, three of which have been in separate turkey farms in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, although whether or not this latest case is connected to the nearby outbreak discovered 10 days ago is currently unknown.

A prevention zone requiring anyone in charge of poultry or other captive birds to ensure that they are housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds remains in place across the whole of the UK until the end of next month, at which point the UK governments must assess whether the zone can be lifted. It is also extremely important that poultry keepers practice good biosecurity to minimise the risk of infection spreading via items such as feed, clothing or equipment.

This year we have been informed of two more positive cases of H5N8 in wild birds on our reserves – a wigeon at Leighton Moss in Lancashire, and a buzzard - most probably having fed on infected prey - at West Sedgemoor in Somerset. This brings us up to a total of six reserves this winter, all of which remain open to visitors.

The risk to humans is extremely low, although if you see a dead bird please avoid physical contact and report it as soon as possible. The Defra hotline (03459 33 55 77) are currently requesting reports of any dead ducks, geese, swans, gulls, or birds of prey. For all other species, please only report if five or more are found in the same place. If in Northern Ireland please report sightings to DAERA on 0300 200 7840.

Update on H5N8

2017-01-07T15:24:00Z

Since I last updated this blog on 31^st December we have received information about two more confirmed cases of H5N8 on RSPB reserves: a wigeon on the Exe Estuary in Devon, and a teal at Conwy in north Wales. Both birds were found dead on the reserves and were immediately reported to the Defra helpline by RSPB staff.

As mentioned in my last update this is not unexpected as the virus is probably circulating in wild birds throughout the UK. The risk to humans remains low and we have not closed the affected sites, but reserves staff at these sites and across our whole reserves network are increasing biosecurity as needed in order to minimise virus spread, and remaining vigilant for dead or sick birds.

If you see a dead bird please avoid physical contact. The Defra hotline (03459 33 55 77) are currently requesting reports of any dead ducks, geese, swans, gulls, or birds of prey. For all other species, please only report if five or more are found in the same place. If in Northern Ireland please report sightings to DAERA on 0300 200 7840.

H5N8 found on RSPB reserves

2016-12-31T17:40:00Z

We have been informed that highly pathonegic avian influenza H5N8 has been recorded in a small number of wildfowl on RSPB reserves at Frampton and Marshside. The virus was detected in birds found dead on site as a result of the vigilance of reserve staff and visitors. This finding is not unexpected as the disease has already been found in wild birds across Europe, including cases in England, Scotland and Wales earlier this month.

Following advice from Public Health England we will not initially be closing the reserves. Signage at the affected sites provides guidance to visitors, emphasising the importance of hygiene. Visitors should take care to avoid physical contact with dead or sick birds, which should be reported to site staff or directly to the Defra hotline (details below). RSPB staff and volunteers across our entire reserves network will continue to be vigilant for dead or sick birds and will report these to Defra as required.

There is no record of this strain of bird flu ever being transferred to people and the risk to humans is low. Defra have assessed that the risk to poultry remains at low to medium, and will vary according to the level of biosecurity on site.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), or other dead wild birds such as gulls or birds of prey, to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

More information about the latest situation on bird flu in the UK and advice on reducing risks can be found on the Defra website here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-winter-2016-to-2017.

Avian Influenza confirmed in wild duck in Carmarthenshire

2016-12-22T20:06:59Z

Defra have confirmed that a wild wigeon found dead in Carmarthenshire in Wales has tested positive for Avian Influenza H5N8, the same strain of the disease confirmed at a turkey farm in Lincolnshire last week. This is the first time a wild bird has tested positive for avian influenza in the UK this winter.

This follows the introduction of a Prevention Zone across Great Britain earlier this month requiring all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to keep their birds indoors, or if impracticable, to take appropriate steps to minimise contact with wild birds.

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead wild swans, geese, ducks or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, to the Defra helpline on 03459 335577.

We will continue to update this blog with new information when available.

H5N8 reaches the UK

2016-12-20T17:02:58Z

H5N8, the strain of avian influenza currently spreading across Europe, was confirmed on a turkey farm in Lincolnshire last Friday. Defra immediately put in place a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone around the outbreak site, restricting all movements of poultry, captive birds or mammals in order to limit the risk of the virus from spreading, and all turkeys on the farm have since been humanely culled. These measures have been successfully used during previous UK outbreaks, including the most recent case on a poultry farm in Dunfermline in January 2016, when the virus was contained to a single farm and eradicated very quickly.

Defra are continuing to investigate the origin of the outbreak and at the present time the role of wild birds remains unknown. However biosecurity best practice on poultry farms remains the most effective way of preventing spread, and the GB-wide prevention zone requiring poultry keepers to house their birds wherever practicable, remains.

Defra have enhanced their surveillance of wild birds, and members of the public are being asked to report any cases of dead swans, geese, ducks or gulls, or five or more dead birds of other species, to the Defra hotline (Tel: 03459 33 55 77). Reports considered high risk will be collected by Defra for testing. To-date no wild birds have tested positive for avian influenza in the UK this winter. We will update this blog with new information as and when it becomes available.

Avian Influenza spreads throughout Europe

2016-12-16T17:57:00Z

Bird flu has hit the headlines in recent weeks as highly pathogenic strain H5N8 spreads across Europe. The virus has been detected in 13 European countries to-date with outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, hunting bird decoys, and a small number of zoological collections. The strain currently circulating has never been detected in humans.

So far this winter there have been no cases in the UK. Defra, along with Welsh and Scottish Governments, have declared a temporary requirement for all poultry keepers within Great Britain to keep their birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. This is purely a precautionary measure to help prevent potential infection of poultry, and the actual role of wild birds in transmission of virus remains unclear.

Birds can be infected with the avian influenza virus through contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions or faeces, and wild birds can carry and transmit the virus to poultry. However there is no evidence of any wild bird species being able to carry this particular strain on a long-distance migration without it causing die-off in the birds themselves, making it unlikely that wild birds are the primary source of avian influenza spread.

There are several ways by which avian influenza may be transmitted, and globally the most important of these has been the unrestricted movement of poultry and poultry products. Therefore the risk of H5N8 circulation via poultry movements remains significantly high, and poultry keepers should help to prevent the spread of the virus by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

Defra are monitoring the situation, and members of the public are being asked to report any cases of dead wild waterfowl - such as swans, geese and ducks - or gulls, or five or more dead birds of other species to Defra (Tel: 03459 33 55 77). The RSPB have increased the level of surveillance on our reserves and are continuing to work closely with our partners to advise Defra on the actions required.