RSPCA no longer taking in injured seabirds
The temporary measure has been put into place to prevent the disease frim killing hundreds of the charity's wild patients.
The RSPCA has announced a temporary ban on sick seabirds being admitted to its wildlife centres, due to the alarming spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the UK's wild seabird population.
Warning members of the public of the severity of the situation, the charity is reminding people not to touch any dead or visibly sick birds.
Jocelyn Turner, RSPCA veterinary surgeon, explained: “Bird flu is having a devastating impact on wild birdlife across the country and our teams have been busy responding to calls about sick birds and doing their best to seek help for as many as possible.
“It's been devastating for our volunteers, vets and staff - who work for the RSPCA because they love animals - to see so many birds perishing due to this awful disease.
“Now it's important that we follow the Government's advice and act to try to slow the spread and keep as many of our birds as safe as possible.”
The RSPCA is advising the public not to bring sick birds into its branches or centres, and to report any dead birds to Defra.
Although the RSPCA will no longer take in seabirds, its officers will still respond to reports of sick and injured birds, and will deal with them as compassionate and appropriate manner.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
