Bird flu confirmed in Birmingham after a bird dies from avian influenza in the city

Bird flu has reached Birmingham - the illness was confirmed following tests after a bird died. The UK is currently amidst the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021.

Birmingham City Council said they were informed on November 9 that avian influenza was found in geese at Trittiford Mill Park in the Yardley Wood area of the city.

The council issued advice last week to minimise risk to public health and to pet birds. Housing measures have been introduced to keep pets and humans safe from the disease. The measure comes after the disease was detected at over 70 premises since the beginning of October, including in wild birds.

What is Avian flu?

Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans, according to NHS. Among the many strains of bird flu, there are four that have caused concern for humans in recent past.

Strains H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 aren’t usually spread from human to human, but several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths. In February 2021 H5N8 was found to have infected a small number of people for the first time, in Russia.

How to stay safe from Avian flu?

People are legally required to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.

Those visiting city parks and open spaces are advised to not touch sick/dead birds – or anything that might have been in contact with infected droppings. People with backyard flocks are advised to follow the RSPCA’s guidelines.

What did the Birmingham City Council say?

Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “We know how serious this issue is from the outbreak that was experienced in Birmingham and many other areas earlier this year.

“As was the case back then, we are making sure advice and information is available to our staff operating in parks and for the public via our website and at our network of parks and open spaces, which are places that attract many people at all times of the year.

“People need to be cautious and the warnings we are putting out there will help visitors to our sites make the informed decisions that will keep them, their loved ones, their pets and other animals as safe as possible.”

“As appropriate, we will continue working with agencies such as Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the RSPCA to ensure the response continues to be the right one, so this issue can be resolved as quickly as possible.”