Urgent UK travel warning over disease fears at picturesque beach popular with families
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned of a fresh bird flu threat after hundreds of carcases were removed from a popular beach.
The grim scene was discovered at Stonehaven beach, near Aberdeen, days after avian flu was found at a farm in north-east Scotland.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said more than 330 birds had been removed from the beach by Monday.
“Our teams have been closely monitoring the number of deaths in the bird population over recent days across the region,” he said.
“The council has finite resources, but we will look to remove large concentrations of birds from popular areas of highest footfall.
“People should be aware, however, that there will inevitably be more birds washed ashore with each tide so beaches may not be cleared entirely.”
A Scottish SPCA spokesman said it had also to destroy live birds at Stonehaven beach for suspected bird flu.
“Sadly, a guillemot and three kittiwakes had to be put to sleep due to suspected avian flu,” he told the BBC.
“We will continue attending this incident if there are reports of live birds.”
Stonehaven beach is is a long time popular coastal resort, particularly with water sports enthusiasts
Its 1.1km stretch of sand hosts countless locals and tourists each summer due to its proximity to the picturesque nearby harbour.
A Hogmanay fireballs ceremony and the historic Dunnottar Castle also draw visitors from across the UK to the area.
The council spokesman went on to say the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s advice is typically to leave dead or sick birds alone.
“The risk of catching avian influenza from dead or dying birds is extremely low, however due to other diseases such as salmonella which wild birds can carry, the advice is to leave the birds in-situ,” he said.
“Keep pets and children away from any dead or sick birds and don’t touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with droppings.”
The discovery came after restrictions were put in place around a farm in Banff on Scotland’s north coast last week after bird flu was discovered in its flock.
In May, two Brits tested positive for bird flu in the first cases for more than a year.
The workers, from a poultry farm in England, were found to have contracted the bug during routine screening.
However, the cases prompted health chiefs to track the outbreak “very carefully” in a bid to stop any further spread.