The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed that wild waterfowl collected from open spaces in Milton Keynes have tested positive for avian flu.
While ducks, swans and geese are particularly affected, all birds may pick up the flu.
Human infection is exceedingly rare and then due to very close contact with infected birds.
Milton Keynes City Council has issued precautionary advice, which includes avoiding contact with wild birds as much as possible - including avoiding feeding them. The public are also urged not to touch or move any sick or dead birds, and to avoid contact with surfaces that are likely to have large quantities of droppings or feathers from wild birds.
If contact has been unavoidable take sensible hygiene precautions like washing hands and cleaning footwear. The advice is also very important if you keep birds at home such as chickens.
Sightings of dead birds should be reported to DEFRA on Gov.uk or by calling 03459 33 55 77
