Message from the Epping Forest Conservators:
We have just received confirmation of Avian Flu in Epping Forest. We are issuing a news release and social media to confirm this later today.
The below poster is being put up around the Forest’s ponds and noticeboards from this afternoon. Could you please communicate with your volunteers to not try to remove dead birds but to report them to us on 020 8532 1010. Our staff have the appropriate PPE and safe disposal procedures to deal with it and will do so as promptly as possible.
Human infections with from Avian flu are rare and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. However, some strains of the virus, have been associated with human disease so it is important not to have close contact with sick or injured birds.
Can I also re-emphasise our message is not to feed the birds. This is the government guidance and can actually help to spread the disease faster by encouraging the birds to congregate together. We also know that despite our best efforts to educate otherwise many of our visitors will just see this as encouragement to feed large quantities of white bread which is harmful to the birds and attracts rats. Its therefore really important we don’t dilute our messaging on this.
Thank you as always for your support and feel free to forward this email to other groups you think should be informed.
