The RSPCA has announced that it will no longer be taking in sick birds because of the risk posed by the avian flu crisis. The animal welfare charity is also warning members of the public not to touch or pick up dead or obviously ill birds in an effort to halt the spread of the disease.
It comes as a "highly deadly" form of the avian influenza, known more commonly as bird flu, has become "worryingly widespread" in Britain's wild seabird population. The RSPCA said that the impact of the disease is also now affecting the level of support its officers can offer.
The virulent strain is having a devastating effect on bird populations around the British coastline. It has led to some wildlife rescue centres temporarily closing their doors due to the risk posed by wild bird admissions, according to the charity.
READ MORE: East Lothian bird flu fears as up to 40 dead gannets washed up on beaches
"Avian influenza has become a serious problem this summer and there are high levels of morbidity and mortality, particularly in seabirds around the coast," said an RSPCA spokesperson. "In order to help limit the spread of this terrible disease, the Government and other organisations are having to euthanase many affected birds, and some wildlife rescue centres have temporarily closed their doors to high risk wild bird admissions."
They added: "The impact of bird flu is also affecting what support we can provide on the ground." To help stop the spread of the disease, people are being told "not to bring sick birds into our branches or centres as staff will not be able to admit them" due to the risk they could pose to animals already in the charity's care.
Members of the public are being urged to avoid touching sick or dead birds. Anyone who has touched one should wash their hands immediately, along with any surfaces they have made contact with.
What birds are affected?
Bird lovers can continue to feed garden birds. Defra and the UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) advise that common garden bird species which are not showing signs of sickness can be handled because although avian flu remains a problem in the UK, the risk of avian flu in common garden bird species such as finches, sparrows, tits, warblers, robins, wrens, swallows as well as pigeons is very low.
The RSPCA said: "The spread of avian influenza is having a massive impact on the welfare of birds across the country. It's a deadly disease as there is no cure and it spreads very fast through certain wild bird populations, as has been seen recently around coastlines with, for example, multiple deaths of sea birds such as gulls, auks, terns, cormorants, shearwaters, gannets and fulmars."
Vet Jocelyn Toner, who works for the charity, said: "Bird flu is having a devastating impact on wild birdlife across the country and our teams have been busy responding to calls about sick birds and doing their best to seek help for as many as possible. It's been devastating for our volunteers, vets and staff - who work for the RSPCA because they love animals - to see so many birds perishing due to this awful disease."
She added: "Now it's important that we follow the Government's advice and act to try to slow the spread and keep as many of our birds as safe as possible." The RSPCA said it would still respond to reports of sick and injured animals "where possible".
What should you do if you find a dead or sick bird?
Anyone who comes across a dead bird is urged to report it to Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). "If you do call us for help, please bear with us, as our rescue teams are under a lot of pressure," added an RSPCA spokesperson.
"Our primary role is to alleviate the suffering of animals in distress. We will always try to respond to calls about sick and injured animals where possible and deal with them compassionately and appropriately."
They said that information and advice is available on the RSPCA website on helping baby birds. "Check our advice online if you find a healthy young bird found out of its nest," said the spokesperson. "Please don't call us as in most cases they may not need help."
To report a dead bird, call Defra on 03459 335577, selecting option 7 when prompted. More advice is available on the Defra website.
READ NEXT:
Bird Flu: The reason you can't find free range eggs in UK supermarkets
First British person treated for deadly bird flu after major outbreak
Crushing East Lothian photos show Bass Rock gannet colony devastated by Avian flu
Edinburgh swimmer's warning as stinging monster jellyfish wash up on Portobello beach
Frantic East Lothian woman's plea for help after dog 'vanishes down rabbit hole'
