Avian flu decimates half of Stratford swans

ABOUT half of the population of Stratford’s swans have been killed by avian flu.

Altogether 40 swans have died, which is around half of the population on the Avon in the town, Roger Fox reports.

Unpredictable

This all happened during the past few weeks, with people worried that the whole population could be wiped out, with it being so unpredictable, the swans being fine then suddenly dead.

RSPCA officials are at the scene together with people from the Stratford Swan Rescue, but there is nothing that can be done other than to restrict access to where birds are kept, to prevent it spreading.

There is another  outbreak on the Avon and outbreaks across the county with Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) putting a country-wide avian flu prevention zone in place with members of the public being asked to report any sightings of dead wild birds.

Restrict access

Keepers of more than 500 birds have to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, with a need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures.

Those with a small number of chickens, ducks or geese, must also limit the risk of bird flu spreading.