The popular Martin Mere wetland centre has closed temporarily after a case of avian flu was confirmed in its collection of birds. And the attraction has confirmed that as a result, bosses were left with 'no option' but to cancel a major birdwatching festival due to be held this weekend.
The North West Bird Watching Festival 2022 on Saturday and Sunday has been postponed to a later date. Conservation charity the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust runs the popular Martin Mere beauty spot in Burscough, Lancashire.
It remains to be seen whether the attraction will be open for half term, with bosses saying updates would be communicated as soon as possible.
In a statement last Friday, the centre said: "Martin Mere Wetland Centre is temporarily closed. Cases of avian influenza are widespread across the UK and we have sadly had a confirmed case in our collection birds at the centre.
"We are working with the relevant government agencies and are taking measures to prevent the spread of this bird disease. Protecting the birds in our care and those returning for winter refuge on our reserve is our utmost priority.
"We apologise for the disappointment we know this will cause. We will keep this page updated with any further updates as soon as we have them. If you have booked to visit us this week, we'll be in touch to arrange a transfer of your tickets or a refund.
"Due to the temporary centre closure, regrettably we are left with no option but to cancel the North West Bird Watching Festival 2022 this weekend - 15 and 16 October. We will be in touch with everyone who has bought tickets to this event to issue you a refund. We apologise for the inconvenience and we share your disappointment that this event can’t go ahead as planned.
"The UK government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency and UK Health Security Agency advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low. If you find a sick or dead bird, please do not touch it or pick it up. Please call the Defra helpline: 03459 335577."
Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has remained widespread across the UK throughout this year and can be carried by wild birds migrating to the UK from mainland Europe during the winter. The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza over the last year with more than 160 cases confirmed since late October 2021.
Bird flu has been found at scores of poultry farms and commercial premises across the UK in the past year, while the disease has also ripped through breeding colonies of seabirds, killing thousands in some sites. The current outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, which began in October last year, is being described by officials as 'unprecedented in its scale and the breadth of species affected'.
It is the longest and largest such outbreak on record in the UK, continuing beyond the normal winter period for the disease and hitting wild birds and breeding colonies of seabirds not normally affected.
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