Bird flu cases confirmed at Yeadon Tarn as Leeds Council issues statement
A “small number” of bird flu cases have been confirmed at a park in Leeds.
Leeds City Council confirmed that the cases had been detected in wild birds at Yeadon Tarn, a 17-hectare park and lake near Leeds Bradford Airport.
They are working with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and other organisations to monitor the situation.
An authority spokesperson said: “A small number of cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been confirmed in wild birds at Yeadon Tarn. The Avian Influenza virus is currently present in wild birds in the UK and across Europe, cases typically are more likely in Autumn and Winter.
“Leeds City Council colleagues are working closely with DEFRA and other partners to monitor the situation. Posters advising visitors on how to help prevent the spread of avian influenza have been placed around the area.”
Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds, and the risk to the general public remains very low. More information can be found via DEFRA’s guidance page.
Visitors can continue to enjoy the area, but officials have asked everyone to follow the guidance on the posters, which includes:
- Do not touch or feed wild birds.
- Keep dogs away from wild birds.
- Report any dead or sick birds to DEFRA (details on the posters). Report dead wild birds - GOV.UK