Samples from Cornwall wild bird hospital test positive for bird flu
The team at Mousehole have confirmed no birds were able to be saved
Last updated 20th Aug 2022
A wild bird hospital in west Cornwall has confirmed samples taken from its site have tested positive for bird flu.
The team at Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary confirmed the news on their social media page, saying they are "devastated".
They posted: "DEFRA confirmed last night that samples taken from the hospital have tested positive for avian influenza H5N1 ('Bird flu'). They are undertaking a cull of birds on the site today, Saturday 20th August, and undertaking initial sanitisation of the site. They have also put in place a Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone effective from 18.30 on 19th August 2022.
"The team at the hospital are cooperating fully with DEFRA after first raising concerns with them on Thursday as result of their monitoring procedures detecting a possible infection.
"The hospital will remain closed until directed by DEFRA that it is safe to re-open. There is no projected date for this at the current time".
Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary was founded in 1928 and treats around 1,000 orphaned of injured wild birds per year.
After contacting the team on social media, we received an automated message to say sadly, no birds were able to be saved and that "all the team are devastated". They added that they will not be responding to messages for several days.
Bird flu outbreak confirmed in Cornwall
On Friday 19th August, Defra said an outbreak of avian influenza, known as bird flu, had been confirmed near Newlyn and that it was found in wild captive birds:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 19 August in captive wild birds (non-poultry) at a premises near Newlyn, Cornwall. A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been put in place around the premises.
Affected birds will be humanely culled.
Details of the measures, which include housing of poultry and captive birds and a ban on release of game birds, that apply in these zones can be found in the declaration.
Defra says that while the risk level in kept birds has reduced, all bird keepers should still follow enhanced biosecurity measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.
All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country.
Additional mandatory restrictions apply in disease control zones in force surrounding infected premises where avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds.
The list of biosecurity measures, such as disinfecting vehicles that may be contaminated, can be found on the Defra website.