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Advice given as bird flu hits the county
10/02/2022
People are being asked to follow a number of practical steps to avoid spreading the disease
The first cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been found in Oxfordshire’s wild bird population. The county joins a number of other areas where bird flu has been reported.
People are being asked to follow a number of practical steps including not feeding wild waterfowl, not picking up or touching dead or sick wild birds and not touching wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.
When out walking we are being asked to stick to the paths and keep dogs on leads.
The disease can be spread on people’s clothes and shoes. Bird keepers should wash their hands and change or clean and disinfect their footwear before going into a bird enclosure.
Anyone with pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease. People with concerns about the health of their birds, are encouraged to seek advice promptly from a vet.
Sightings of dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese, or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, should be reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by calling 03459 335577.
Anyone who finds a sick bird can alert the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234999.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam