Further to the confirmation of Avian Flu amongst wild birds at Spike Island in Widnes the Council is aware of a report of a dead wild bird at Victoria Park.
As a precaution the Council is extending its public health advice to Victoria Park. This advice is that the public should not hand feed the birds or touch or pick up any sick or dead wild birds.
It is also important that sick or dead birds are not moved as this may transfer the virus to other sites.
This is consistent with advice provided by DEFRA and the RSPCA.
Any dead birds on the Council’s parks or open spaces should be reported to the Council via email at hdl@halton.gov.uk or via the website www.halton.gov.uk We will arrange for a specialist contractor to collect the birds.
Avian Flu is predominantly a disease of birds and so the risk to public health is very low. All the Council’s parks and open spaces remain open to the public, but we request that dogs are kept on leads.
More information on avian flu can be found at:
Animal Diseases – Preventing Disease Spread | RSPCA – RSPCA – rspca.org.uk
Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England – GOV.UK