The National Trust has announced it will be closing the Farne Islands, off the coast of Northumberland in the North Sea to visitors, from Sunday 3 July, due to the impact of the spread of Avian Influenza (bird flu), on its precious seabird colonies.
The disease which was first discovered in UK domestic bird populations last winter, is now impacting wild birds, with infection proving to be fatal. It is spread when birds come into direct contact with an infected bird, faeces, body fluids or indirectly via food and water.
The risk to people is considered to be very low and people are rarely affected. Symptoms are similar to normal flu, with a runny nose, sore throat and fever.
Simon Lee, General Manager for the Farne Islands said: “While we have no confirmed test results from the islands, we are now starting to see the terribly sad and distressing impact of Avian Influenza on our internationally important and threatened seabirds who make the islands their home. Seabirds nesting in dense colonies, most of which are threatened, such as Arctic Terns, are particularly vulnerable now as they have returned to the islands in their thousands to breed, nesting in close proximity to each other. Our ranger teams work tirelessly to monitor and protect these colonies, but due to finding significant numbers of dead birds, we simply have no other choice but to close the islands. We understand how many people love to visit the islands, but we must do everything we can to protect and to try to help these much-loved seabirds by limiting the spread of the disease.
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Posted On: 01/07/2022