Signs puffins 'building immunity' from bird flu

There is hope puffins have built some immunity to bird flu as one of the Farne islands reopens to tourists, the National Trust has said.

The trust, which cares for the islands off the coast of Northumberland, said all seabirds remained free of bird flu in 2024.

In recent weeks there have been cases of the virus in Burnopfield, forcing the Animal and Plant Health Agency to set up surveillance zones in Tyne and Wear.

The trust said that only the Inner Farne Island would be open to visitor tours this year and added that the puffins have returned to the site to breed.

Rangers on the islands collected almost 10,000 dead seabirds in 2022 and 2023 due to bird flu, and the area was closed for two years.

With seabirds remaining free of the flu, the trust said it was hopeful that immunity was building within the colony.

The Farne Islands have been cared for by the National Trust for the last 100 years

Sophia Jackson, area ranger for the islands, said: "We have been closely monitoring the impact of the disease on our breeding populations as part of international research into bird flu.

"Bird flu is now endemic in the population.

"There have been studies done on the Isle of May that showed the birds had immunity when they were tested.

"The fact that it is low numbers and not spreading also suggests that there is immunity in some way," she added.

The Farne Islands have been cared for by the trust for the last 100 years.

"This is an exciting year for us as we celebrate the centenary of the Farne Islands coming into the care of the National Trust.

"We can't wait to welcome visitors and to share the wonderful wildlife of the island up close once more," the National Trust said.

The Inner Farne Island opened to visitors on Tuesday.