An animal rescuer said the toll inflicted on British swans will likely only grow in the days to come, with ‘carnage’ on the horizon as they travel for the winter months
Bird flu deaths may increase this coming winter as swans fly south(Image: Johnny Allen/Cover Images)
Bird flu experts have issued a “beginning of the end” warning for some of the UK’s most important birds following an explosion in infections that left corpses scattered across a large area.
Rescuers have said they fear the swan population could be “decimated” after the recovered the bodies of dozens of birds following a suspected flu outbreak. The bodies, “at least 50” of which were recovered in the Canterbury and Thanet areas of Kent, have sparked alarm after cases of the deadly disease were confirmed at a farm in Lydd.
The situation is only expected to get worse in the days to come, with experts convinced the birds will bring “carnage” with them as they arrive for the winter.
READ MORE: Key symptoms of bird flu to spot as first human dies from rare H5N5 strainREAD MORE: Man ‘severely ill’ with virus never before seen in humans
Rescuers have been picking up the vodies of dead swans(Image: Cover Images)
Swans tend to travel south for the winter into England as water sources freeze over, with southern England, especially Kent, becoming a particular favourite for flocks. Speaking to Kent Online, Johnny Allen, a volunteer for Kent Wildlife Rescue, said the enduring threat of disease could potentially be the “beginning of the end”.
He said there was little else to do other than “pray”, adding: “This is potentially the beginning of the end. Once the flock arrives, it will be carnage. What else can I say but ‘pray’?”
Bird flu is a deadly disease that can occasionally infect humans(Image: Getty Images)
Populations most at risk, he added are those making homes near Ramsgate in the Minster Marshes, around St Nicolas at Wade, and in the Reculver Towers near Herne Bay. Mr Allen is among dedicated volunteers who have been removing the bodies of dead birds following their deaths from the disease, and has warned that, if he didn’t it could spread to local wildlife feeding on the corpses.
The warning comes after another outbreak was confirmed on the royal Woodstock Estate in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, home to Blenheim Palace. The Facebook page Blenheim Communities warned the public not to touch any deceased birds after an “incidence of bird flu” was confirmed.
Other countries have also confirmed bird flu cases in recent months(Image: Getty Images)
The page wrote: “Sadly, today, an incidence of bird flu has been confirmed on our Estate. Currently, we only have a case within the park, but we continue to monitor both the park and wider estate.
“We are working hard to limit the spread to the wider population by following DEFRA guidance and best practice. We know many of you walk the park and value local and visiting birdlife and we want to thank those of you who have reported seeing an ill or dead bird.
“We know this will have been distressing but by reporting it we have been able to act quicky, in partnership with DEFRA, to protect as many birds as we can. If you see an ill or dead bird, please do not touch it. If we all do everything we can, we will hopefully limit the spread and save the birds that live and come to visit us every year.”