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S.O.S. OPERATIONS AND THE REGIONAL OUTBREAK OF BIRD FLU

December 2024. As you may know, there have been regrettable outbreaks of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in poultry farms throughout Norfolk & Suffolk just recently, where poultry stocks have contracted a disease that occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds and can lead to the infection of domestic and commercially farmed poultry flocks.

The risk of Avian Influenza to humans is considered very low and is usually the result of close contact with an infected bird. To keep visitors SAFE and free from exposure to bird flu, we have taken many precautions to ensure your safety throughout the Sanctuary. Visitors are asked to please use the foot-dips placed at all entrances to the centre to disinfect their footwear and prevent unwitting transmission of the disease to our collection of captive-bred birds.

Meanwhile, we operate a strict code of aviary & enclosure cleanliness together with bird health vigilance to protect our captive-bred bird collection from disease, and provide many forms of PPE to keep our staff and volunteers safe.

• OUR RAPTOR HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN *
  We have strict quarantine protocols in place at the centre and for the staff who assist in the hospital. These include a separate triage reception area for the isolated examination of all bird intakes as we cannot risk any wild bird with Avian Influenza being brought into the centre, which could contaminate all of our other birds.
  
  IF YOU FIND AN INJURED BIRD OF PREY, it may be infected with the disease. These are the obvious signs of a bird which may have contracted Avian Influenza:

• the bird is unsteady on its feet, falling sideways or backwards when observed (or unable to control its lower body)?

• the bird is showing head tremors or seizure-like movements?

• the bird is swollen in the face, under the eyes, or has an overly 'puffy' appearance around the head?

• is the bird appearing drunk, or has limited visual capabilities?

• Is the bird struggling to breathe or expelling fluid from the mouth and/or nose?

• Has the bird been found local to large collections of waterfowl and/or poultry or wildfowl?

• Has the bird been found near or around other deceased wild birds?

If yes to any of the questions above, please do NOT touch or remove the bird from its location, but make every effort to report it to the relevant governing body such as DEFRA or APHA by calling 03459 335577.

If the bird is not showing any of the above symptoms, please contact us at 03456 807 897 to arrange to bring it to the Sanctuary for examination and treatment.

IF YOU FIND A *DEAD BIRD* OF PREY PLEASE REPORT IT TO APHA or DEFRA by calling 03459 335577.