THE Isle of Wight Wild Bird Rehabilitation Facebook group has urged Islanders to stay away from Ryde Canoe Lake and the surrounding area, after a number of dead swans were reported.

Kay Ounsworth, for the group, says four dead swans have been reported within the last few days, and seven in the last two weeks.

"We believe this could be due to the highly virulent and deadly bird flu H5N8," said Kay.

"The police, wildlife officer, RSPCA, Island Roads, DEFRA, BTO, RSPB and local councillors have all been alerted.

Isle of Wight County Press:

A dead swan at Ryde Canoe Lake. Picture by Troy Button.

"Jim Baldwin, who does the bird count on the lake, says swan numbers have increased there in the last couple of months, along with large gull numbers.

"Canada geese and black swans have been seen there, as well as tufted ducks and mallard, and some are migratory.

"If these birds are dying due to bird flu, any movement in the area could spread it far and wide.

"Stay away from other waterways and farmland, especially where poultry are kept, until you have disinfected yourself/footwear and washed/changed your clothes.

"Every bird could be at risk. Do not touch any dead or ailing birds at the lake. 

"Call the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 03459335577."

Kay says she is confident all the birds in her care are safe, as she has not been out to the lake herself, and none of her birds have come from the area. 

The news comes after Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales, agreed to bring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.

The new housing measures, which came into force on Monday, mean it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the virus is very low.

Food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs.

UPDATE: 

A police cordon has been put in place around the canoe lake.