Avian flu suspected in death of swan near Caversham promenade

THE first suspected case of avian flu in Caversham has been reported after a swan was found dead near the promenade on Saturday.

It comes amid a rising number of swan deaths across the county.

Swan rehabilitation centre Swan Support is urging the public to report sightings of sick swans for monitoring.

Graham Neale, of Caversham Wildlife Rescue and Support, had monitored the sick swan at Caversham Promenade on Friday, when he said it had been showing symptoms of the virus.

He said: “We were monitoring it all day Friday and it hadn’t moved. I went down first thing Saturday morning and it was dead.

“They’re so overrun at the moment at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that it would take a while for it to come back officially that it was avian flu, but that’s what it was.

“You know when it’s flu because their heads just drop and drop and drop and they basically go into the water and die.”

Mr Neale said the group was sharing advice from Swan Support to continue feeding the birds to prevent them migrating but to ensure food was spread out so the animals don’t congregate.

He added that people should not walk dogs off-leash in areas with swans.

Mr Neale said: “Caversham Promenade is a really popular feeding place for people, so carry on feeding but if you do see any sick ones, report it to Swan Support.”

Wendy Hermon, who runs the centre, said the spike in cases has caused a backlog at the DEFRA which confirms positive flu cases following post-mortem examinations.

She said this meant it could take “two or three weeks” before confirmation is received.

However, Ms Hermon, who first raised the alarm about the flu on January 20, said it was important the public were aware of the suspected virus now and that they know to take care and be vigilant.

She said: “I’m 100 per cent certain that the swan had avian flu because of the symptoms but, at this stage, we have to say suspected as we haven’t had it confirmed.

“People need to be aware now that there is an issue and to be careful and vigilant.

“There often could be six or seven swans floating dead and I think it’s important that the public are aware of what the problem could be.” Swans infected with the most serious strain of the flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, can show symptoms including a swollen head, closed and runny eyes, lethargy and breathing difficulties.

Members of the public are advised not to touch any infected or dead birds to prevent spreading the virus.

Wherever flu has presented or is suspected, people should wash their hands and wear appropriate footwear.

Ms Hermon said she was monitoring the situation in Henley after receiving reports of sick swans in the river but that her team was focused in areas of Berkshire where it had responded to dozens of cases already.

The team had so far been called out to about 20 swan deaths in Windsor and reported that almost a third of the swan population in Newbury had been wiped out in a single week.

She said: “If they’re dead in the Berkshire area then call us and let us know and we will pick it up. If you see a sick swan it’s always useful to know because it could be in an area that we don’t know of having the disease.”