Cornwall Wildlife Trust have been alerted by our partners at the Cetacean Strandings Investigation programme (CSIP) of Avian Flu being discovered in the carcasses of five seals from Cornwall. There have also been cases of the virus in cetaceans elsewhere in the UK, including a common dolphin in Devon.
You can read more about Avian Flu in seals via the government website here:
Although the UK is home to 38% of the entire world’s population of grey seals, and 30% of the European subspecies of common seals, there have never been reports of AIV transmitting from seals to humans, or vice versa, in the UK.
Emma Louise Gallagher
Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network (MSN) are, however, taking extra precautions within the project, which will sit alongside our high standards of health a safety. It is now mandatory for all volunteers attending strandings to wear face masks and wear protective eyewear in addition to their usual PPE (disposable gloves and full waterproofs which must be disinfected after use) and cleaning processes.
The general public are advised against approaching and interacting with seals in the UK, even when the animals are in danger or distress. Cornwall Wildlife Trust are also urging all members of the public to stay away from all dead animals, which wash into our beaches, including seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales and, of course, sea birds.
Please remember to report all dead stranded animals to our MSN 24 hour hotline on 0345 2012626 whilst still keeping your distance.
Further information on Avia Flu here;
WHO: Influenza (Avian and other zoonotic)
And to find out other species infected by Avian Flu please see;
GOV UK: Confirmed findings of influenza of avian origin in non-avian wildlife
