Bird flu warning issued after geese found dead in Queen’s Park

A bird flu warning has been issued after several geese were found dead in Queen’s Park, Heywood.

In a statement on Facebook, the Friends of Queen’s Park said tests are being carried out to confirm if bird flu is present.

No cases have as yet been officially confirmed by Rochdale Borough Council or DEFRA.

Local residents have also reported dead geese in Littleborough in the canal near Fothergills and also near Hollingworth Lake.

The Friends of Queen’s Park said: “Sadly the bird flu has reached our lake in the park. Please be aware that the ranger is doing his best to work with this awful situation. There is no treatment available for this disease and sadly it spreads quickly from bird to bird.

“There is a company who will remove the dead birds as quickly as possible but as I’m sure you can appreciate they are very busy with this outbreak.

“The RSPCA are currently doing tests to confirm and are concerned that creatures who may be feasting on the carcasses may become sick and die. Please keep your dogs on a lead and stay away from the lake as a precaution because this disease is deadly with no known treatment.

“We will keep you updated as we receive further information.”

Councillor Liam O’Rourke, the council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “We are aware of the dead birds in Queen’s Park and the relevant agencies have been contacted.

“You should not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that you find.”

A record number of cases of avian flu have been recorded in the UK, which is experiencing its largest outbreak of bird flu due to a subtype of the H5N1 strain. Globally, this is the worst outbreak of the illness.

The UK Health Security Agency says whilst this strain of bird flu causes high levels of disease in poultry and other birds, the risk to human health from it is considered “very low,” adding “currently there is no evidence that this strain detected in the UK can spread from person to person.”

The public is encouraged to report findings of a single dead bird of prey (including owls), three or more dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead birds of any species.

If dead birds are found in public areas, please report them to Rochdale Council’s environmental management team on 0300 303 8884.

Any suspected cases of avian flu should be reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.