DOZENS of birds have died after an outbreak of bird flu in Upton Warren.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known, as bird flu, has been found in wild birds at Upton Warren nature reserve.

Around 65 black-headed gulls have died in the last month from bird flu.

Members of the public have been told not to pick up dead or sick birds on the reserve, instead, it should be reported to the team of volunteers onsite.

Eleanor Reast, reserve officer, said: “No birds are set to be culled and we have no intention of closing the reserve.

“We will continue to inform people and report any cases.

“We are lucky that we have a network of volunteers they are going to remain vigilant and report cases.”

The public is also urged to not touch feathers or surfaces that may have been contaminated with bird droppings.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 330 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021.

Whilst mandatory housing measures for poultry and captive birds were lifted last month, wild birds are still at risk of the virus.

Last November bird flu was confirmed at a commercial poultry farm near Bromsgrove where sadly all birds on the premises were humanely culled.

At the start of last month, the disease control zone restrictions around the farm were dropped.

Elsewhere in Worcestershire, bird flu was confirmed last October in a mixed flock of captive birds near Leigh Sinton, Malvern Hills.

Following the cull of all birds on the premises, the control restriction zone was lifted on December 22.