On Air Manx Radio Breakfast Ben Hartley & Lewis Foster | 7:30am - 9:30am

Avian influenza discovered in dead birds at Fleshwick

First case on Island since August

People are being told not to touch any sick or dead birds after another confirmed case of avian influenza.

It’s the first on the Island since August.

Tests on two herring gulls found dead on Fleshwick Beach last week revealed they died from the highly pathogenic H5 strain.

The virus is currently not affecting kept or farmed birds so no restriction zones have been introduced.

Currently bird keepers in England, Scotland and Wales are being asked to implement strict biosecurity measures amid the UK’s largest ever bird flu outbreak.

Chief Vet Dr Amy Beckett said: “‘There is a very real risk to kept birds on the Island this winter due to the situation in the UK so we urge people who keep birds to do everything they can to avoid them coming into contact with wild birds.”

Anyone who finds a group of dead birds together should contact 685844 or by emailing agriculture@gov.im.

More from Isle of Man News