Bird flu outbreak in Cornwall near Newlyn: Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital closed

Defra has said 'highly pathogenic avian influenza', more commonly known as bird flu, was confirmed at a premises near Newlyn on Friday – just three days after the bird flu risk was reduced from medium to low nationally, and the mandatory Avian Influenza Prevention Zone for poultry and captive birds lifted.

The premises involved has not been named officially, although Defra said it was not poultry-related.

A statement on the Defra website stated yesterday: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on August 19 in captive wild birds (non-poultry) at a premises near Newlyn, Cornwall.

"A 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been put in place around the premises. Affected birds will be humanely culled.

"Details of the measures, which include housing of poultry and captive birds and a ban on release of game birds, that apply in these zones can be found in the declaration."

However, Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital has add a further update to its Facebook page this afternoon, following sample testing last night.

The hospital said: "Defra confirmed last night that samples taken from the hospital have tested positive for avian influenza H5N1 (‘Bird flu’).

"They are undertaking a cull of birds on the site today, Saturday, August 20, and undertaking initial sanitisation of the site.

"They have also put in place a Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone effective from 18.30 on 19 August 2022.

"The team at the hospital are co-operating fully with Defra after first raising concerns with them on Thursday as result of their monitoring procedures detecting a possible infection.

"The hospital will remain closed until directed by Defra that it is safe to re-open. There is no projected date for this at the current time."

Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary was founded in 1928 and treats around 1,000 orphaned or injured wild birds per year and is the only dedicated wild bird facility in Cornwall.

The bird flu restriction zone in West Cornwall. Image: Defra

It had previously said: "During the gull breeding season this year we have taken in and cared for over 350 gulls of various ages, many of whom have now been successfully released.

"Earlier in the year we took the decision to remain open during the breeding season, having assessed the low risk of bird flu in Cornwall, but now there is suspected bird flu in our area we have been directed by Defra/APHA that to protect our current patients we will not be admitting any more birds until further notice.

"This decision will be kept under constant review and be lifted as soon as the risk is assessed as low again.

"We understand the disappointment and concern this may cause our supporters and lovers of wildlife but our primary responsibility must be to the birds in our care and our team looking after them."

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) for poultry and captive birds, previously introduced last November, to help stop the spread of avian influenza (bird flu), had been lifted.

The enhanced biosecurity measures were brought in across Great Britain when there was a medium risk (meaning 'event occurs regularly') for some poultry premises.

The government said the measures had been "vital" in protecting flocks across the country from the virus which is circulating in wild birds.

However, as of midday on Tuesday this week the mandatory requirements had been lifted, with the risk of avian influenza reduced to low (meaning 'event is rare but does occur') for all poultry.

All poultry gatherings, including at fairs, shows and markets, remain banned, due to a large number of flocks mixing together and the risk posed by any infections spreading across the country. 

The Measures in the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone

• Record of visitors
• Record of poultry entering or leaving those premises
• Record of poultry and egg movements
• Poultry movements to be recorded
• Records of visitors and poultry/egg movements do not apply if eggs are going directly to shops, the movement of people to zoos, wildlife parks or any other premises open to the public unless directed (provided the public has no access to any area where birds are kept), anyone on a public right of way or exercising a right of access to the premises, trespassers; or anyone executing the order.
• Isolation of poultry and other captive birds
• Where birds are kept isolated but not housed, the occupier must ensure they have no contact with poultry or other captive birds on other premises and take all reasonable steps to minimise their contact with wild birds
• Biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of the spread of avian influenza to or from the premises
• Gatherings of poultry - no poultry or other captive birds to be collected together at any fair, market, show, exhibition or other gathering in the zone
• No person shall release game birds
• Cleansing and disinfection of vehicles carrying any thing which may be contaminated, including meat, feed, manure or litter
• Cleansing and disinfection of vehicles of anyone who enters or leaves premises in the zone