Urgent Environmental News
Advice on Bird Flu
13 November 2007 2.30pm
The Broads Authority advises that the information below is current:
- The H5N1 strain of bird flu (avian influenza) is essentially a disease of birds and poultry.
- So far the H5N1 strain of bird flu has only been found in wildfowl (ducks, geese, swans) and poultry (chickens, turkeys).
- If you find dead wild gulls, waders, swans, ducks or geese in the Broads, or three or more dead wild or garden birds together do not touch them. Make a note of the location and type of bird and ring the Defra Helpline 08459 33 55 77, and choose the Avian Influenza option. The State Veterinary Service will carry out an assessment and decide what action to take. Opening hours for the helpline are seven days a week 8.30am to 8.00pm.
- If you feed birds take appropriate hygiene precautions. Wash your hands thoroughly after filling or cleaning bird feeders or feeding pigeons or ducks. You are advised not to let birds feed out of your hands, and again, to wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with bird droppings, especially before eating or drinking. Children should be closely supervised with waterfowl to ensure they don't transfer infected material to their faces. You should avoid direct contact with wild ducks/swans and particularly if they are ill or dead.
- Remember the risk to human health only arises in people with very close contact with infected birds.
- For further information check Norfolk County Council website www.norfolk.gov.uk or the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/latest-situation
- The Broads remain open for business - enjoy your visit.
Prymnesium Parvum Levels at Hickling
19 May 2008
During a recent survey undertaken by the Environment Agency at Hickling/Heigham Sound, very high levels of Prymnesium parvum have been discovered in the water. This is one of a group of alga that thrives in brackish waters and can produce a toxin that kills fish, sometimes in large numbers.
Please look out for dead fish/large congregations of fish in distress and report them to the Environment Agency's emergency telephone number 0800 807060.
