Trafford Council have issued an urgent warning to dog walkers following an outbreak of bird flu. Residents walking their dog or out visiting near outside water venues are told to 'be alert'.
Cases of Avian Influenza, which is otherwise known as Bird Flu, have been confirmed in the north west of England. Avian Influenza is a disease which mainly affects birds, but on rare occasions, it can affect mammals, including humans.
It is important that people do not pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) announced that new housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds from avian influenza and to prevent it spreading across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland came into force from November 7.
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Precautionary measures have been implemented – including new signage at Sale Water Park where most of the birds have been recovered - urging dog walkers to keep pets on a lead at all times and for people to stick to designated pathways.
Council teams have been liaising with registered bird owners in the vicinity, to remind them of national guidelines, ensuring they are following biosecurity measures and keeping birds housed.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Trafford Council wrote: "The Council is urging dog walkers and those using outside water venues to be alert following the Avian Flu outbreak.
"No new bird deaths have been reported but people should still keep dogs on leads and not touch sick or dead wild birds."
Along with the warning, the council shared the APHA's warning that bird flu had been detected in the area. It encourages people to be vigilant with their pets and make sure dogs remain on leads and on a footpath, away from potential dead birds that could carry the virus.
A council spokesperson, Richard Roe, Trafford Council’s Director of Place, said: “This is obviously upsetting for everyone, including our own teams dealing with this, but avian flu is unfortunately now affecting wild birds right across the UK.
"People visiting Sale Water Park will see teams from the council and RSPCA on-site, but they should not be alarmed. We are not restricting access to the park, simply asking people to exercise common sense.
“Don’t go near any birds, especially if they are dead or distressed. There is a number to call on the information signs to report any that visitors do see.”
Trafford’s Director of Public Health, Dr Eleanor Roaf, said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing many cases of avian flu in wild birds across the UK at the moment. Although the risk to humans is low, we are very keen to stop this from spreading either to people, or to farmed or domestic birds.”
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