Reporting incidents
If you think you have come across unusual deaths of wild birds and a rule of thumb is:
ï‚· One or more swans
ï‚· Three or more birds of the same species
ï‚· 5 or more birds of different species
then contact the Defra help-line 08459 33 55 77 or the local State Veterinary Service office on 01737 242242
The help-line will take details and decide whether to pass you on to the nearest Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA). When contacting the Defra Helpline please have as much information to hand as possible so that an initial assessment can be made. If you are passed on to a veterinary laboratory, they will decide whether an examination of the carcasses is required and will arrange collection.
Health and Safety
Avoid any sort of contact, but if you must move or touch a dead wild bird you should follow the general guidelines below in order to minimise the risk of infection. (NB – we can think of very few circumstances in which you may need to move a dead bird but the following are examples. Firstly if you need to keep the dead bird for collection by Defra, and second if the bird is laying in a sensitive area such as a playground.)
Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people including Salmonella and Campylobacter. To minimise the risk of infection, it is important to take simple hygienic precautions when handling the dead birds or any contaminated material:
1. Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling the carcass (not latex).
2. Place the carcass in a suitable leak proof plastic bag, taking care not to contaminate the outside of this bag.
3. Seal the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
4. Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag or in a separate plastic bag that should be sealed.
5. Wash the outside of the second plastic bag with soap and water or disinfectant.
6. If gloves are not available, a bag can be turned inside out and used as a makeshift glove, when the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be reverted and sealed. This should then be placed in a second plastic bag, which should be sealed and washed (as above).
7. Wash your hands, nails and forearms thoroughly with soap and water after handling the carcass. Do not handle any food until this has been done. If there is obvious soiling of clothing, this should be physically cleaned and washed with soap and water.
DO NOT place dead bird carcasses in a freezer.
