Bird flu affects Borders poultry farm and Highland nature reserve


Bird flu affects Borders poultry farm and Highland nature reserve

Measures have been put in place around one of Europe's largest poultry farms following an outbreak of bird flu.

A two-mile (3km) protection zone has been introduced at Glenrath Farms' Whim Poultry Farm, outside West Linton, near Peebles, in the Borders.

Scotland's chief veterinary officer has also asked for a wider six-mile (10km) surveillance zone as part of efforts to prevent any spread of the viral infection.

Separately, in the Highlands, RSPB Scotland said there were suspected avian flu cases among wild geese at its Insh Marshes reserve near Kingussie.

Bird keepers in Peeblesshire, in the Borders, have been asked to be vigilant to cases and report any signs of ill-health in their flocks to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency.

RSPB Scotland said it believed flu was affecting greylag and pink-footed geese at its Highland reserve.

The conservation charity said the main signs of infection in birds included a swollen head, lethargy, loss of balance and watery eyes.

It said people should not go near dead or unwell birds at Insh Marshes, or at any other sites, and footwear should be cleaned thoroughly between visits to the reserve.

If no staff were available, it said visitors could report suspected cases to Defra on 03459 335577 or online.

Insh Marches' senior site manager, Karen Birkby, said: "Bird flu is not limited to one reserve or one area, and this good practice applies in any place you visit this winter where wild birds gather.

"By following the guidance, everyone can help minimise the danger to dogs and humans and help to support wildlife through this winter."

RSPB Scotland said more than 13,000 barnacle geese were killed across the country during the most recent large scale outbreak in 2021-22.

Populations have since bounced back but there has been concern that numbers are rising again.

Bird flu is a disease caused by a virus that infects wild and domestic birds and sometimes other animals, such as foxes, seals and otters.

The major strain - circulating among wild birds worldwide - is a type of the virus known as H5N1.

Bird migration has led to outbreaks in domestic and wild birds. The virus has, in very rare cases, infected humans.

Scientists say the current risk to humans is low. Transmission from birds to humans is rare and there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission.

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