Avian influenza confirmed in North Warwickshire park
People visiting the park are been urged not to touch any sick or dead wild birds
Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a number of wild birds at a park in North Warwickshire.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have now confirmed there is avian influenza (H5N1) in wild bird populations at Kingsbury Water Park.
The UKHSA, Warwickshire County Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council is working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to manage the situation and protect public health and the risk to other birds.
The risk to human health from this strain of Avian influenza is considered very low but people visiting the park are been urged by the UK Health Security Agency not to touch any sick or dead wild birds.
Warwickshire County Council are urging dog walkers to stick to footpaths and keep dogs on leads and after visiting the park people are being advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Sarah Smith, Consultant in Health Protection leading on avian influenza for UKHSA West Midlands, said: “The risk to the public from this strain of avian flu is very low, however it is important that people do not touch any sick or dead birds. Anyone who has been in contact with sick or dead birds or their droppings, in an area where the infection has been confirmed, should make sure any footwear is properly cleaned and thoroughly wash their hands in soap and water."
"They should then notify the UK Health Security Agency’s West Midlands Health Protection Team on 0344 225 3560 so that public health experts can determine if antiviral medication and active surveillance of their condition is necessary. If someone handled infected birds while wearing adequate PPE, they may still undergo surveillance."
Dr Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health, Warwickshire County Council said: “The incidence of avian flu in the wild bird population is something that we are taking very seriously. The UKHSA has made it clear that the risk of the disease transferring from birds to humans is considered to be very low. To ensure this situation remains, the advice we have received is that members of the public should not touch or go near sick or dying birds and any dead birds found should be reported to the park rangers to assist with disposal.”
She added: “Posters have also been put up in the area to ask people not to feed the birds and remind people to keep to footpaths and to keep dogs on leads.”