Dead swan found at Iford confirmed by BCP Council as first local bird flu case

A SWAN which was found dead has been confirmed as the first local case of bird flu amid concerns of an outbreak.

BCP Council told the A&T it was made aware of the swan at Iford, near Christchurch, on 2nd May, and urged residents not to touch dead wild birds but report them to the Defra helpline.

As reported in the A&T, the deaths of a pair of peregrine falcons nesting at Christchurch Priory last week, along with a swan at Hengistbury Head, sparked fears of a local outbreak.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a recent confirmed case of avian flu in a dead wild bird found in the BCP area. The species of bird was a swan. It was located at Iford and we were made aware on 2nd May.

“We have no reason to believe there is currently any risk to human life. The risk of avian flu passing from infected dead birds to humans is low. Residents are advised not to touch dead wild birds and to report any dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or by visiting www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds”.

A Defra spokesperson explained the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out year-round surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols as part of its wild bird surveillance programme. A report on findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is published by the APHA and updated weekly.

Despite BCP Council confirming the case, a Defra spokesperson was unable to comment or explain why its website did not yet include its details, stating only: “We are unable to comment on any testing or reports that are not listed at this site as the results will not yet be ready for publication.”