The first case of bird flu being recorded in non avian wildlife was a fox in Durham in 2021, according to data from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Since then, nine otters and foxes across the UK have tested positive for the virus in England, Scotland and Wales. The animals are believed to have eaten dead wild birds that were infected with the virus.
Experts have said that the risk to the public is low. The Durham fox is the only animal in our region to have tested positive for the disease.
