Gulls found dead on beaches in Mount's Bay test positive for bird flu
It's the first confirmed case in Cornwall Wildlife Trust's marine strandings database
Last updated 4th Feb 2022
A number of herring gulls found dead on beaches in Mount's Bay and reported to Cornwall Wildlife Trust have since tested positive for bird flu.
It is the first confirmed case of bird flu ever to be recorded in the Trust’s marine strandings database of over 10,000 records.
On the 18th and 19th January, the Trust’s Marine Strandings Hotline was alerted to the mass stranding by several members of the public.
Approximately 20 were discovered on Longrock Beach and a further 14 found on Marazion Beach.
The matter was passed over from the Trust to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) due to the rarity of the case.
Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency have now confirmed that all five of the adult birds that were collected have tested positive for the disease.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Conservation Officer, Abbie Crosby, said: "It’s very sad to hear about this case, as with all strandings of dead animals found around our coastline.
"Seabirds face numerous threats in our marine environment such as lack of prey, habitat loss and bycatch, so to hear that this disease is also impacting populations is terribly upsetting.
"Unfortunately, we may hear of more stories like this in Cornwall as bird flu continues to be a high risk around the country".
Abbie added: "It’s essential that people stay alert when visiting the beach. Please report any dead marine animal that you find to our hotline immediately whilst keeping your distance.
"We support and train over 150 volunteers every year to record stranded seabirds, seals and everything in between. This data is vital in helping us understand the threats our wildlife is facing and the overall health of our marine environment".
Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.
However, the public should remain vigilant and should avoid touching or picking up any dead or visibly sick animal that they find.
Instead, Cornwall Wildlife Trust is encouraging those who have found a dead marine animal to call its 24-hour Marine Strandings Network hotline on 0345 201 2626.
Dead wild waterfowl and seabirds – such as gulls, swans, geese and birds of prey – can also be reported to the national Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
More information about the Trust’s Marine Stranding Network can be found on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website.