Swans found dead at Scots nature reserve sparking fears of bird flu outbreak

A number of swans have been found dead at a Scottish nature reserve, sparking fears of an outbreak of bird flu. The bodies of the birds were spotted at Hogganfiled Loch, in the north-east of Glasgow, yesterday by a concerned member of the public, who reported it to the Scottish SPCA.

Reports that the rest of the swans will now be culled are so far unconfirmed, but Glasgow City Council confirmed the deaths of a dozen birds. The local authority have engaged an approved contractor to ensure the animals are removed and disposed of appropriately, and locals have been advised to avoid contact with the swans.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was found at premises in the Breaclete area on Great Bernera, the Scottish Government said. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established around the premises. A spokesman for the council said: “After receiving initial reports of six dead swans at Hogganfield Park, further checks today have identified a total of 12 dead swans within the park. In-line with advice from DEFRA, we are assuming the birds have died from avian flu and it is likely the number of dead birds will rise.

Paul Walton, Head of Species and Habitats for RSPB Scotland said: “This outbreak of bird flu is unprecedented in its impacts on wild birds. At least of 61 species have returned positive tests across the UK to date. Some species have been more seriously affected than others. The current form of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza originated in poultry in East Asia in the 1990s.

"As we wait to see what will happen this autumn – usually a peak period in HPAI – we are reassured that the NatureScot-led HPAI Task Force is guiding and co-ordinating responses to further outbreaks and is considering how we tackle the national challenge of the building resilience in wild-bird populations through species recovery programmes.

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