"Keep Farm Poultry Away From Mere"

UK - Farmers have been urged to move poultry away from lakes and waterways to safeguard against a growing threat of bird flu.

Vets said domestic poultry, such as ducks, geese and chickens raised on farms, could come into contact with wild birds carrying the disease at places such as Hornsea Mere.

A leading vet warned the UK's human population would be at risk if bird flu moved to domestic flocks on farms.

The Mere is East Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake and among a number of stretches of water in the region visited by birds from abroad.

Rachael Gilbanks, of the York East branch of the National Farmers' Union, said: "It is important domestic poultry flocks don't come into contact with wild birds.

"But it is even more vital farmers follow the advice of the health experts and move poultry away from lakes where wild birds could pose a big danger.

"Farmers along the East Yorkshire coast should be particularly vigilant because that is where migrating birds are likely to land when they fly in from the continent."

The alert comes as the World Health Organisation investigates how bird flu crossed into the human population in Turkey, causing two deaths and leaving 13 people in hospital.

Dr Bob McCracken, a former president of the British Veterinary Association, said: "The most likely place wild infected birds are likely to land in the UK is on lakes and other waterways, especially those near the coast.

Source: ThisIsHull