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H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in Wild Birds in Dorset and Gloucestershire as Westmorland and Furness Logs Recent Cases

Officials describe the public risk as low, with councils concentrating on surveillance, reporting, biosecurity, carcass handling.

Overview

  • Tewkesbury Borough Council confirmed a Canada goose died from H5N1 avian influenza and urged people not to touch sick or dead birds or feed congregating flocks.
  • Dorset officials reported a small number of dead swans in Fordington, Dorchester tested positive, with warning posters planned on popular footpaths that cross Duchy of Cornwall land.
  • Dorset remains free of reported cases in kept or commercial poultry, and bird keepers are being reminded to follow strict biosecurity measures.
  • Westmorland and Furness reported nine confirmed H5N1 cases in recent weeks across multiple species including mute and whooper swans, pheasants, and a greylag goose.
  • Residents are asked to report dead wild birds to Defra, with APHA collecting some for surveillance, while safe disposal on public land falls to local authorities and elsewhere to landowners.