Oxfordshire County Council has issued advice to people after the county has recorded avian influenza (bird flu) in the wild bird population.

The advice comes following suspected cases which saw a number of birds found dead in Port Meadow.

The council has advised people who are out walking where wild birds are to keep to the footpath, keep dogs on a lead, to not feed wild waterfowl, to not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds and to not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings.

READ MORE: Dead birds discovered at Port Meadow in Oxford

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “People can also spread the disease on their clothes and shoes. Before going into bird enclosures people should wash their hands and change or clean and disinfect their footwear.

“All bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and take steps to avoid the spread of disease at all times.

"People who have concerns about the health of their birds, are encouraged to seek advice promptly from a vet.”

The council also noted that poultry should be registered, even if only kept as a pet. This is so that owners can be contacted during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if a person has 50 or more birds. Poultry includes chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeons (bred for meat), partridges, quails, guinea fowl and pheasants.

Registration can be completed on gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms

The council added that people should report sightings of dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese, or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by calling 03459 335577.

READ MORE: Suspected case of bird flu reported at Iffley Lock in Oxford

Anyone who finds a sick bird can alert the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234999.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

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