Peregrine found dead amid new case of bird flu
A PEREGRINE falcon has been found dead in Christchurch amid an new outbreak of bird flu.
The female bird of prey was found at the Priory having only laid eggs in the nest three weeks earlier.
The Priory said: 'Sad news today - we're very sorry to have to let you know that our female peregrine has died.
'Members of the Priory staff team are in touch with the appropriate authorities.
'To anticipate the questions, nothing is known at present,' and added any information will be shared once known.
Dorset Police said it is not investigating the death. It's not known whether bird flu is what caused the death of the peregrine.
Meanwhile, it's understood two swans and a cygnet were also found dead in Mudeford last week.
A BCP Council spokesman said: 'We are aware of a recent confirmed case of avian flu in a dead wild bird found in the BCP area.
'The risk of avian flu passing from infected dead birds to humans is low.
'Residents are advised not to touch dead wild birds and to report any dead wild birds to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 or by visiting https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds .'
Residents should let the Defra helpline know if they find a single bird of prey, including owls, or three or more dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls.
They should also contact Defra if five or more dead birds of any other species are spotted.
Defra remains tight-lipped about whether bird flu has been noted in the area, saying it is unable to comment on any testing or reports of bird flu.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency, part of Defra, carries out year-round surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols as part of its wild bird surveillance programme.
The RSPCA has not had any reports of dead swans or peregrines in Christchurch. The RSPB has been approached for a comment but did not respond.
Last month, a confirmed case of bird flu was found at Longham Lakes.
Bird flu, also known as avian flu is a virus that has been around for a number of years in the UK.
It is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds and in rare cases, it can affect humans.
There are many different types of bird flu viruses and many of them don't infect humans. However, there are four strains that have caused concern in recent years.
The NHS says although H5N1, H7N9 and H5N6 don't easily infect people and aren't usually spread by human contact, there have been several people infected around the world, resulting in a number of deaths.
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