Nene Park Trust has now confirmed that it will be putting out new signs in key areas of Ferry Meadows to warn park users another set of dead swans were discovered on Wednesday (November 9) morning.
The bodies, along with a number from earlier in the week, have been taken away by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to study and confirm the cause of death. The cause is suspected to be avian flu/bird flu.
Advice from the park remains that anyone who sees a dead or visibly sick bird should not touch it but instead contact the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
The trust’s park management team have been advised not to touch dead or sick birds as per government guidelines but will be on hand if there are any highly visible on paths.
Residents also reported seeing a number of dead birds and swans at the Embankment to the Peterborough Telegraph.
Animal and Plant Health Agency spokesperson for Defra added: “We are aware of a number of wild birds deaths in Peterborough and are investigating these deaths as part of our wild bird surveillance programme.”
The council previously advised bird owners to check their birds frequently for signs of bird flu and immediately report any concerns to Defra rural services.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. Nevertheless, the public has been asked not to touch dead wild birds.
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were introduced to all areas of England on Monday (November 7) following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.
The compulsory housing measure follows over 80 confirmed cases across the UK since the beginning of October, three of which have been in Cambridgeshire.
The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted Defra for comment about the cause of death of the birds it has analysed.
