Bird and animal centres in the area are taking steps to protect themselves from bird flu after several cases have been detected in the region. An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared in the South West last month following a number of cases in poultry, wild and captive birds across Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset.
A popular zoo in Devon had to close after having a case confirmed on site. According to data from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, one case of bird flu has been identified in Bristol, with none detected in North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.
At the end of July, signs were spotted around Blaise Castle stating that the virus had been detected in the area and people were urged to take several precautions including keeping dogs on their leads. And, despite no cases having been detected in any centres in the area, measures are being taken to stop the disease from spreading.
Read next: Bird flu detected at Blaise Castle prompts safety advice
Leanne McManus-Dunkley, director and avian breeding coordinator at North Somerset Bird of Prey Centre said: "We haven’t had any cases of Avian Influenza but we are taking a number of measures to ensure we protect our birds as best we can including enhanced bio security measures and limiting our birds contact with any wild birds.
"We are also fundraising to install a net over the centre to prevent any wild birds from entering the centre."
The fundraiser states that there have been more than five times as many outbreaks of bird flu this year than there were in the whole of 2021. It said that cases have continue to remain high even throughout the summer, which has resulted in birds at zoos and rescue centres having to be culled.
It said that infected wild birds is the main way in which the virus is being transmitted and that the large net over the centre would stop them from entering. "This lethal virus is unlikely to ever go away and it is vital we do everything we can to protect our bird collection from avian influenza," it added.
"We are home to several threatened and endangered birds of prey which are of great conservational concern. After two years of covid closures and lockdowns we are not in a position financially to absorb these costs, especially with the winter months coming up when the birds and animals eat more, require more heating, bedding and supplementary lighting, so we are hoping our wonderful visitors and followers will be able to help us raise these urgent funds."
A spokeswoman for Slimbridge Wetland Centre said: "Whilst there are still some cases of avian flu in the country, they are all quite distant from Slimbridge.
"Of course, we are always carefully monitoring the birds here and protecting them is our priority – so we have some additional measures in place, including foot mats at the entrances to our walk-through aviaries. We work closely with and follow the advice of relevant agencies, especially APHA and UKHSA."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. The public are asked not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find.
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