BIRDS on Grassholm are at risk following an outbreak of avian flu.
The disease’s presence in Grassholm’s large wild bird population was confirmed on Wednesday, August 3.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease.
It affects many species of birds’ respiratory, digestive, or nervous systems.
Some strains of Avian influenza can spread easily and quickly between birds and have a high death rate.
Migratory seabirds and waterfowl are known carriers of avian flu.
The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain originated in the intensive poultry industry in Asia and has since spread into wild bird populations worldwide.
Up until now, the disease had not reached Grassholm.
Sadly, this is no longer the case.
Following a spate of suspicious deaths during a recent RSPB surveillance visit, DEFRA testing confirmed the disease’s presence.
The outbreak is in its early stages, and RSPB are keeping Grassholm under close surveillance and will update the public as and when there is more to tell.
Very rarely infected birds can pass the disease onto humans.
Grassholm is known for its huge colony of northern gannets; the island has been owned since 1947 by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is one of its oldest reserves.
A National Nature Reserve, Grassholm is the world’s third most important site for gannets.
It serves as a breeding site for 36,000 pairs of gannets and supports around 10 per cent of the world population.
A severe outbreak at a major breeding site would be disastrous, as would the potential for the disease’s spread along the Pembrokeshire coast and the neighbouring islands of Skokholm and Skomer.
At present, the outbreak is small but has the potential to escalate.
You may come across dead or dying gannets (or other seabirds) washed in on beaches around Pembrokeshire.
DO NOT touch these birds, keep dogs away from them, and report to DEFRA on 03459 33 55 77.
