Bird flu case confirmed at country park

Visitors to Thrybergh Country Park in Rotherham have been told to pay attention to information signs

A case of avian flu has been confirmed at a country park in Rotherham.

A wild bird was found to have the H5N1 virus at Thrybergh Country Park, according to Rotherham Council, which runs the site.

While the risk to humans remained low, people were advised to take care when walking near open bodies of water at the park and to pay attention to information signs there, a council spokesperson said.

Anyone finding a dead bird in a park or public space should not touch or move it and it should be reported immediately, they added.

Bird keepers were also asked to remain vigilant and to report any concerns of avian flu to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, even if the symptoms were mild.

A bird flu housing order came into effect in parts of the north of England - including South Yorkshire - as well as in the east and Midlands from midnight.

It means owners must keep birds on a strict lockdown in their housing, as well as keeping feed and bedding inside.

Clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles must also be cleansed and disinfected.

The rules applied to keepers of more than 50 birds and any sellers of poultry products, and the order was expected to be in place until further notice, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

All of England is currently in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, which means there are mandatory biosecurity measures in place for captive birds and poultry.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.