Warning to residents after Avian Flu cases found in wild birds in south Birmingham park - The Bromsgrove Standard

Warning to residents after Avian Flu cases found in wild birds in south Birmingham park

Bromsgrove Editorial 16th Jan, 2022   0

RESIDENTS have been urged not to touch sick or dead wild birds after cases of Avian Flu were confirmed in south Birmingham.

The Canada goose population in Cannon Hill Park is affected by the disease and samples of dead birds have been collected by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) national laboratory, to testing.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Birmingham City Council are urging people not to touch any sick or dead wild birds in the area – with avian flu confirmed in the Canada goose population in Cannon Hill Park

The council and the UKHSA is working with APHA and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) to manage the situation and protect public health and the risk to other birds, wildlife and pets.




The A(H5N1) strain is highly pathogenic to poultry and other birds, but the risk to human health is considered very low. However, it is vital that people do not touch sick wild birds or wild bird carcasses, and infection control measures may be necessary if they do.

Angela Cartwright, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the UKHSA in the West Midlands, said: “The risk to the public from this strain of avian flu is very low, this is an infectious virus which spreads among birds and it is very unusual for humans to be affected.


“However, it is possible for humans to catch the virus through close contact with an infected bird, dead or alive.

“Therefore, it is very important that you do not touch any sick or dead wild birds you may find. Equally, you must not touch their droppings, eggs or bedding.

“As a precaution, anyone who has been in contact with the birds or droppings in an area where the infection has been confirmed, may require a course of antiviral medication and close monitoring for 10 days from last contact with infected birds.”

Coun John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, added: “This is a very serious situation, so we would urge people to follow the guidance on how to safely use our parks and open spaces.

“This will help reduce risk to both wildlife and people, including our parks staff. The council and partner agencies are working closely on the response to this outbreak, which follows others in various parts of the country – and will continue doing whatever needs to be done to address and control the situation.”

If you have found and touched a sick or dead bird

In areas where the infection has been confirmed or is suspected, anyone who has been in contact with sick or dead birds or their droppings should make sure any footwear is properly cleaned and thoroughly wash their hands in soap and water.

Then contact the UK Health Security Agency’s West Midlands Health Protection Team on 0344 225 3560 so that public health experts can determine if antiviral medication and active surveillance of their condition is necessary.

Reporting sick or dead birds in Birmingham

Anyone who finds dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, should report them to the Birmingham City Council team on 0121 454 7810.

People should not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds they find. They should report it to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. Do not touch the bird.

Podcasts

Now, every week, you can also listen to a roundup of Bromsgrove & Droitwich Standard Local News

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Bromsgrove Standard

Advertising

Advertise with the Bromsgrove Standard to reach your audience

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts