Wokingham

Wokingham District Council is sending a clear message that residents and visitors to the district should continue to enjoy its country parks and nature reserves as usual but remain vigilant about dead or diseased birds.

After tests on a swan found dead in Fife in Scotland found the H5N1 strain of avian flu (commonly referred to as bird flu), Wokingham District Council is taking steps to reassure people and pass on the latest government advice.

Guidance has been clearly displayed on Wokingham district’s country parks and nature reserves notice boards.

Wokingham Countryside management team leader Chris Buggy said: “If residents find any dead swans, ducks or geese at our country parks or nature reserves, they should contact the countryside service immediately on (0118) 934 2016 or 0800 212 111 outside of office hours.

“We are keen to stress, however, that government advice clearly states that people should continue to enjoy feeding the ducks in the park or trips to the local countryside. They should just maintain their usual hygiene routines such as washing your hands thoroughly.”

The latest guidance and advice on avian flu is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website at www.defra.gov.uk. This includes guidance on handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds on private property. Anyone who finds a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead, wild birds together on private property in the same place should report it to Defra on 08459 33 55 77 (open seven days a week 6am to 10pm).

If anyone finds a single dead small garden or wild bird, there is no need to call Defra. Either leave it alone or follow the guidelines below for disposal:

* Avoid touching the bird with bare hands

* If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling

* Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag

* Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag

* Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of in the normal household refuse bin

* If disposable gloves aren’t available, a plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove

* Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and any clothing that has been in contact with the bird should be washed as normal

* Any contaminated indoor surface should also be thoroughly cleaned.

Wokingham Environmental health manager Steve Richardson said: “Residents should be reassured that plans are in place should any outbreak occur in the district. All relevant services and officers across the council have been fully briefed and we are working closely with our neighbouring authorities. We are carefully monitoring the advice being issued by Defra.”

Legislation requires all keepers of poultry with more than 50 birds kept for commercial purposes to register their flocks with Defra. Defra has also requested that those with fewer than 50 birds register (although there is no legal requirement to do so) calling 0800 634 1112.

More information is available on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk. Alternatively, people can contact the council’s community resilience team on community.resilience@wokingham.gov.uk or (0118) 974 6766 / 6407.

Wokingham District Council