Bird โคFluโ Alert Issued for Canterbury andโ Thanet as Swan Deaths Rise
Local residents, notably dog walkers, are being โฃwarned to exercise extreme caution in theโ Chislet Marshesโข area and along rural footpaths after a surge in bird deaths linked to avian influenza. At least 50 โswans and other birds โhave been confirmed dead in the Canterbury and Thanet district since October 29, according to reports from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). This represents a significant โฃincrease compared to the same period last year, โฃwhere no such deaths were recorded.
Avian โinfluenza, commonly known asโ bird โflu, is currently circulating in seabirds and other wildlife. Authorities are urging the public not to approach or touch any dead birds or โwildlife where the cause of death is unclear. Pets, especially โคdogs, should be kept away from carcasses.
“Sadly, โwe have to announce that a number of birdsโข have beenโค found dead in โฃthe Chislet Marshesโค area of the district with suspected avianโ influenza,” a spokesperson said. “If you see a dead bird or โคother wildlifeโฆdo not touch or remove it. โขKeep away and do not โคlet your pets (and particularly dogs) go near it.”
Thanet District Council is erecting warningโ signage along rural paths between plucksโข gutter,St nicholas,and Sarre. The signs advise against handling dead animals, feeding birds, andโ provide instructions on reporting findings. Trained council officers are responsibleโฃ for the collection and disposal of infected โขwildlife.
“As a precaution, and in line โwithโค government guidance, work has started to โฃput signs outโฆto warn the public,” a council spokesperson stated.
The outbreak extends beyond wild bird populations. More thanโ 60 birds wereโข culled at the Happy Pants Ranch animal sanctuary in Newington, Sittingbourne, following a positiveโ avian influenza test.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maintains that bird flu primarily affects birdsโ and poses a โขvery low risk to public โhealth.However, 45 cases of bird flu have been confirmed across England since the beginning of October, โhighlighting the widespread nature of the current outbreak.
