The death of dozens of swans in east London is due to an outbreak of bird flu, authorities have confirmed.
More than 30 birds were found dead around the West India and Millwall Outer Docks on the Isle of Dogs on Monday.
A further 21 were recovered on Wednesday, according to the charity E1 Waterbird Welfare.
Andy Miller, a volunteer at the Swan Sanctuary, said: "There was a previous wave of bird flu a couple of years ago. We don't know to what extent that affected Docklands here but it certainly wasn't as intense.
"The current strain is very lethal and infectious and it seems to be particularly affecting the young Cygnus that were born earlier on this spring."
The Government's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed on Friday the deaths were due to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza.
An APHA spokesperson said: "Members of the public are advised to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water if they touch wild bird faeces or feathers or after feeding wild birds."
Avian flu is a virus affecting both poultry and wild birds according to the RSPB.
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There are multiple strains and most cause little or no illness in wild birds.
However, a recent outbreak that has seen in the UK is of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which can cause severe disease and high mortality rates.
Bird flu mostly spreads from direct or indirect contact between birds, but it can also spread through contaminated poultry and contaminated objects.
Human infections are rare and the risk to the public is low, although members of the public are advised to stay away from potentially contaminated birds.
