Dog walkers warned over bird flu

Dog walkers are being warned to keep a close eye on pets as the UK battles its biggest outbreak of bird flu, which is now circulating heavily in sea birds.

Dogs could come into contact with infected poultry or waterfowl by playing or picking up a sick or dead bird and may spread the virus further either on their coat or by stepping in infected bird poo and transferring it.

The RSPCA is advising dog walkers to stick to footpaths and use leads where there are large numbers of birds to reduce their animal’s exposure to creatures which could be infected.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “Avian influenza (AI) is primarily a disease of birds, though there have been reports of highly pathogenic AI in seals and foxes, so bird flu can cross into other species.”

The spokesman added: “Although the risk of your dog contracting AI is extremely low, your dog could become contaminated and spread it to other areas. Also dead and dying birds could carry a range of other diseases which might present a health risk to your dog.”

Latest Defra figures have confirmed 102 cases of bird flu in England, but the exact numbers among wild animal populations are more unclear.