Warning to keepers amid UK bird flu outbreak

No cases of the avian flu have been found on the island this year

People on the Isle of Man have been warned to avoid handling sick or dead birds after an outbreak of avian flu was confirmed on a farm in the north of England.

On Tuesday, cases were identified in commercial poultry on a farm in East Riding, in Yorkshire, leading to a 6.2-mile (10km) surveillance zone around the site.

While no cases have been reported on the island, the risk is classed as the same as the UK because the virus is predominantly spread by wild birds.

The government's chief veterinary officer Amy Beckett urged keepers to be "vigilant and take action to protect their birds", after the second UK outbreak.

There have been several outbreaks of the virus in the island's wild bird populations in the past

Dr Beckett said the virus tended to flare up during the winter months before fading during the warmer weather.

As it was primarily a disease of birds, the risk to human health was "very low", she added.

The virus is largely spread by infected wild birds coming into contact with kept birds, through droppings and saliva, or contaminated feed and water.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) has advised keepers to minimise the number of people who come into contact with their birds, and disinfect equipment regularly.

They should also be housed in a way that keeps contact with wild species to a minimum, and those who suspect a case of bird flu have been urged to contact the department's health team.