Warning issued to dog walkers following bird flu outbreak
Last updated 18th Feb 2026
An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in a small backyard flock near Ancroft, in North Northumberland.
The County Council says a three kilometre control zone has been set up, and all birds on the premises will be culled.
It follows on from a series of outbreaks north of the border - with seven identified in and around the boundary between Midlothian and the Scottish Borders since the week before Christmas.
All bird keepers – big or small - within the area MUST house poultry and captive birds and adhere to the strict biosecurity measures.
Council chiefs say although the risk to human health is "very low", the virus can spread rapidly through the bird population.
A spokesperson for the local authority added: "Signage has been put up in the affected area to make people aware of the situation and the rules they need to stick to. This includes walking dogs on leads and sticking to designated footpaths."
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The warning comes amid concerns over the number of dead sea birds being washed up along the Berwickshire coast
A spokesperson for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve said: "Constant turbulence in the sea can cause tough feeding conditions, especially for birds like shags that feed close inshore."
But they added: "The numbers locally are quite worrying and we’re monitoring and reporting numbers to understand it more fully."
Anyone who finds a sick or dead bird can report them to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 0300 0200 301.
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