Bird Flu confirmed after over 100 Black-head Gulls die at Priory County Park
So far other birds in the Bedford park have not been affected
Over 100 dead Black-headed Gulls have been removed from Priory County Park in recent week.
The cause of death has now been confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as H5N1 bird flu.
H5N1 bird flu is a disease that is spread between wild birds and has caused the worst bird flu outbreak ever seen in Europe.
So far, the flu does not appear to have affected any other species of bird in the park. Black-headed Gulls have suffered high mortality rates this year due to bird flu across the country.
Tom Wootton, elected Mayor of Bedford Borough, said, “We have been made aware of a large number of dead Black-headed gulls at Priory Country Park and now have confirmation that these deaths are due to bird flu.
“This is especially concerning at this crucial time when gulls should be raising their young. We currently have no plans to close Priory Country Park but do ask members of the public not to touch any dead birds they see and to report them to Defra.”
Find the latest bird flu (avian influenza) situation in England on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england.
The public are encouraged to report certain wild bird deaths online to DEFRA, through an online tool found at www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds, there is also a helpline, 03459 33 55 77.