Dozens of birds, together with swans, are being discovered lifeless in Doncaster in what seems to be an outbreak of chicken flu.
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Free Press reader Melanie Smith of Wadworth acquired in contact after seeing 5 swans lifeless on the metropolis’s Lakeside.
She was extra distressed having seen that the birds have been bagged up and left together with litter bins for assortment.
She mentioned: “I’ve been informed that it’s bird flu that’s killing them.
“However still not acceptable being let in red bags like trash at the side of the waste bins.”
We contacted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who mentioned that in Doncaster that they had obtained 80 studies of deaths, totalling 146 birds – this breaks down as gulls 8, birds of prey 8, swans 11, geese 15 and one goose.
A spokesman mentioned: “In Great Britain members of the public are encouraged to report findings of dead wild birds using the online reporting system or by calling the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77).
“APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) triages reports and does not collect all birds. They adjust the collection thresholds for dead wild birds for different species to increase or decrease the sensitivity of surveillance.
“The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols as part of its wild bird surveillance programme.
“APHA publishes a list of all wild birds that have tested positive for the disease in Great Britain, the list is updated weekly and is available
“We are unable to comment on any testing or reports that are not listed at this site as the results will not yet be ready for publication.”
They added: “APHA have also launched a new interactive map of reported wild bird mortality and findings of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in wild birds and wild mammals and an interactive data dashboard of findings of avian influenza virus in wild birds.
“If you have reported a dead wild bird online or via the helpline (03459 33 55 77), you can now check the status of your wild bird report by entering the location of your report or your Defra reference number (prefixed by WSF- or REP-) in the maps search box.
“Results from wild bird testing help us to tell where the disease is distributed across the country, as well as understand the risk posed to poultry and other captive birds, to help us work with farmers to prevent the disease being transferred into the captive bird population.
“ Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and not all dead birds will have been infected with avian influenza.
“Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.
“Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch wild bird faeces or feathers or after feeding wild birds.”
We have additionally approached the City of Doncaster Council for remark and are awaiting a response.
*Avian influenza naturally unfold amongst wild aquatic birds worldwide and may infect home poultry and different chicken and animal species. Bird flu viruses don’t usually infect people. However, sporadic human infections with chicken flu viruses have occurred.
