Avian flu threat temporarily closes bird hospital

Jeremy Whitaker said strict biosecurity measures had been put in place at Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary

A trustee of a Cornish wild bird sanctuary has expressed his "horror" after a bird flu outbreak was confirmed near St Ives.

Jeremy Whitaker, chairman of the trustees of Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary said the unit had been temporarily closed to the public after bird flu was confirmed at a farm near Rosudgeon on Sunday.

Mr Whitaker said strict biosecurity measures had been put in place, including pre-testing and quarantining birds before admittance, good housekeeping and foot baths for all people entering the site.

In August 2022, birds being cared for at the hospital had to be culled after a case of bird flu was confirmed on the site.

'Steer clear'

He said: "Fortunately, we've got fewer birds on site at this time of year, so the situation is easier for us to manage; but we are by no means complacent, given what has happened previously."

The government confirmed the case on the commercial poultry farm near Rosudgeon was the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 - the major strain - this season.

All the poultry on the farm were humanely culled, it said.

Mr Whitaker said: "I think in the UK the feeling is very much now that it [bird flu] has become endemic in the environment, so the risk is there and flares up most commonly in the winter months."

He advised any members of the public that saw sick wild birds to "steer clear" and not to allow children or animals to come into contact with the bird.

Although the hospital has been closed, its staff were still able to offer advice about unwell birds via the phone, social media, website and email, he added.