Bird Flu Found in Goose

A dead wild goose collected by DEFA from Castletown harbour has tested positive for bird flu.

Because this is a wild bird restriction zones will not be put in place.

The department is continuing to urge all bird keepers to practice good biosecurity and do everything they can to stop their birds coming into contact with wild birds.

What to do if you find a sick wild bird

Do not touch or pick up any visibly sick birds that your find, this is to protect yourself and any kept birds.

If you encounter multiple visibly sick birds within close proximity please contact DEFA (contact details below).

What to do if you find a dead wild bird

If the bird is a single, small garden or wild bird then you do not need to contact DEFA. You should leave it alone, or follow the guidelines below for disposal, see ‘If you have to move a dead bird’ guidelines below.

Do not touch or pick up any dead birds that your find, this is to protect yourself and any kept birds.

We would be grateful if the public would continue to report findings of either:

• Two or more large waterfowl (such as swans or geese) found together and freshly dead
• Six or more smaller birds found together and all freshly dead

We may collect some of these birds and test them, please be aware not all birds will be collected. Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries and not all dead birds will have been infected with avian influenza. Please note the phone and emails are not being monitored outside of normal office hours so voice messages and emails will be picked up on the next working day.