Bird Flu Concerns Rise After Swans Found Dead in London Docklands
More than 30 swans have been discovered dead in London's Docklands area, raising fears that the deaths may be linked to an avian flu outbreak.
The deceased birds were recovered from West India and Millwall docks, near Canary Wharf, over the past week. The Canal and River Trust is currently conducting tests to determine the cause of death.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has advised the public to avoid touching or picking up any dead or visibly sick birds and to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water if they come into contact with wild birds.
The Swan Sanctuary charity has been assisting in the removal of the bird carcasses, with volunteers expressing feelings of helplessness due to the scale of the losses.
'Very Lethal and Infectious'
Ben Macmillan, an ecologist with the Canal & River Trust, stated,
"A specialist contractor has now collected 30 dead birds, all swans, from our waterways in and around West India and Millwall Dock."
He urged the public not to handle dead birds and to report any findings to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) by calling 03000 200 301.
While the virus primarily affects birds, the NHS notes that humans can contract bird flu through close contact with infected birds. Although rare in the UK, it can be fatal.
Andy Miller, a volunteer at the Swan Sanctuary, commented,
"There was a previous wave of bird flu a couple of years ago. We don't know to what extent that affected Docklands here but it certainly wasn't as intense.
The current strain is very lethal and infectious and it seems to be particularly affecting the young Cygnus that were born earlier on this spring."
While suspected cases have been reported further upstream along the River Thames, Miller noted that the concentration and rapidity of deaths in the Docklands area appear more intense over a relatively short period.
Identifying infected birds can be challenging. Miller explained that lethargy is the primary symptom, but birds affected by the current strain often exhibit a twitch or tremor or begin to circle.
He also warned that feeding birds by hand could increase the risk of virus transmission.
What Is Bird Flu?
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) describes avian flu as a virus affecting both poultry and wild birds. Multiple strains exist, most of which cause little or no illness in wild birds.
The current outbreak involves a strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which can cause severe disease and high mortality rates.
This strain has significantly impacted wild bird populations across the UK since summer 2021.
Originally, the strain was detected in intensive poultry farming in Asia in 1996 before spreading to wild birds.
Emotional Impact on Rescuers and Ongoing Investigations
The swan deaths have taken an emotional toll on those involved in rescue efforts. Miller shared,
"It really is pretty awful to be honest with you.
There's lots of stress, but there's no real prospect of being able to do anything. That's the worst thing. The worst thing is feeling powerless."
The charity is advocating for the collection of the bird bodies to facilitate further research into the disease.
An APHA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is investigating the deaths as part of its dead wild bird surveillance scheme.
Transmission to poultry and captive birds mainly occurs through contact with wild birds, their faeces, and contaminated footwear, clothing, vehicles, or equipment.
The public is encouraged to report dead wild birds via Defra's online system or helpline, aiding APHA in tracking the virus's spread.
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