Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust dismisses erroneous bird flu claims at Hosehill Lake near Theale

A wildlife trust has denied BBC claims of an avian flu outbreak at one of its nature reserves.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) has removed an outdated warning from its website concerning an avian flu outbreak at Hosehill Lake near Theale. The past warning formed the basis of a BBC article published earlier yesterday (*Tuesday) morning, which has since been updated with the correct information.

A BBOWT spokesperson confirmed the trust has not recorded any new cases at any of its reserves "in months".

Avian flu poses a low risk to human health but is highly contagious for birds. As a precaution, visitors to Hosehill Lake and other local nature reserves should still follow existing guidance to help prevent the spread of disease.

Please stick to footpaths and keep dogs on leads; do not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds; do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings; and clean home bird feeders and bird baths regularly with disinfectant.

If you keep birds, ensure to wash your hands and disinfect footwear before and after tending to them.

You can contact the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affair) helpline on 03459 335577 to report dead waterfowl or other dead wild birds, and visit its website for further information on avian flu and the latest Government advice.