Bird lovers were warned to clean feeders regularly to prevent infection spreading as the UK deals with its “largest ever” avian flu outbreak.
Six pelicans living in St James’s Park in central London have been removed to be looked after indoors as precautions continued.
The RSPB said that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was affecting a range of poultry operations across the UK. The wild bird species involved are mostly geese, ducks and swans, but a number of birds of prey have also died.
About half a million birds have been culled so far, according to the chief vet, Christine Middlemiss, who said that there were 40 infected premises in the UK.
An avian flu prevention zone was declared across the UK on November 3 and extended on November 29 with the added requirement to keep all captive birds indoors, amid concerns that wild birds migrating from mainland Europe during the winter are carrying the disease.
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The risk to human health from avian influenza remains very low, according to public health advice, and there is a low food safety risk.
George Eustice, the environment secretary, said: “Each year the UK faces a seasonal risk in incursion of avian influenza associated with migratory wild birds. While we have that each year, I have to say this year we are now seeing the largest-ever outbreak in the UK.”
Defra, the food and rural affairs department, confirmed that there had been 33 outbreaks in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland.
Middlemiss told the BBC that the “phenomenal level” of bird flu had “huge human, animal and trade implications”. She said that the disease was being spread by migratory birds from the north of Russia and eastern Europe.
She warned that the UK is only a few weeks into a migratory season that goes on until March. “We are going to need to keep up these levels of heightened biosecurity for all that time,” she said.
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The protection zone means that in addition to keeping birds and poultry housed, keepers must continue to take precautions such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting clothing, equipment and vehicles and limiting access to non-essential workers and visitors.
Defra has said that the new housing measures would be kept under regular review.
Middlemiss said that she was “very concerned” about bird flu and that having 40 infected premises was “a really high number for the time of year”.
An RSPB spokesman said: “Everyone should take care to maintain good hygiene when feeding garden birds, regularly cleaning feeders outside with mild disinfectant, removing old bird food, spacing out feeders as much as possible, and washing your hands.”
The bird flu outbreak is not expected to have any impact on the supplies of turkeys or other birds over Christmas.
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Aimee Mahony, the National Farmers’ Union’s chief poultry adviser, said that it was a “challenging” time for all bird owners.
“Vigilance is key and poultry farmers are doing all they can to ensure the continued health of their flocks, and that their welfare needs are being met,” she said.
“We are relying on all bird keepers, whether they have a small backyard flock or a commercial business, to follow the enhanced biosecurity and housing measures implemented by the chief veterinary officer to help prevent further disease outbreaks.”
Richard Griffiths, the British Poultry Council’s chief executive, said that it did not expect there to be an effect on overall production “but we, as ever, urge all poultry keepers across the country to remain vigilant and look out for signs of the disease in your birds or bird”.
The British Hen Welfare Trust said that it was committed, within legal guidelines and following strict biosecurity procedures, to collecting one more small flock of birds. But a spokesman added: “However, there will be no further rehoming activity with effect from December 12 until the AI [avian influenza] situation improves.
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“When it is safe to recommence our lifesaving rehoming work, we will be up and running immediately.”
Ilchester Estates, the landowner of Abbotsbury Swannery, near Weymouth in Dorset, confirmed that it had a number of cases.
