Oxford City Council has confirmed that avian flu was confirmed on Port Meadow several weeks ago.

The UK is currently facing the worst bird flu outbreak on record, with over 70 reported outbreaks in October alone.

In past years, cases of bird flu tailed off in the spring, but this year has been unprecedented, with more than 230 outbreaks nationally over the last 12 months.

Millions of birds have been culled.

In January a vet reportedly confirmed a case of avian flu at Iffley Lock.

It was also thought likely to have spread to Port Meadow where further dead geese were found in the same week.

At the time a spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: "We have received reports of three dead swans and a number of geese. ODS Countryside Rangers, working with the volunteers of Swan Support, collected the swans.

"They will be tested by DEFRA for avian influenza. At the moment we have not had any confirmed cases of avian influenza in the city."

The UK Health Security Agency explains on its website that bird flu is an infectious influenza that spreads amongst birds.

While some strains can pass to humans this is extremely rare and usually requires very close contact with an infected bird – so the risk is considered low.

In order to minimise the effects of the disease among the bird population Oxford City Council is asking visitors to follow this advice:

  • ∙ Do not disturb the overwintering wildfowl on the meadows and rivers. Every time the take-off they are using vital energy stores that can help them fight bird flu. It also risks spreading the disease to other flocks.
  • ∙ Keep dogs on leads when approaching wildfowl

For more advice on bird flu visit the DEFRA avian flu webpage. 

 

 

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