Officials have given a warning after “almost a dozen” dead swans appeared in a stretch of canal in East Lancashire.
Residents have seen a large number of dead swans appearing in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Church and Altham.
Last week, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said there were increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in Lancashire.
One resident said: “Up to a dozen dead swans on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Church and Altham, seven reported in Altham alone.
“Reported to Defra, and the Canal and Rivers Trust, but carcasses have been there for several days.”
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has triaged reports from the community but said it does not collect all dead birds, and will do so to understand the risk posed to poultry.
Additionally, it has warned members of the community not to pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that are found, and to wash their hands thoroughly if they do touch faeces or feathers, or after feeding wild birds.
Richard Griffiths, British Poultry Council (BPC) chief executive, said: “The winter period brings a heightened risk of avian influenza to poultry.
"With cases rising in wild and kept poultry across the country, strong action is needed, so BPC welcomes the announcement by Defra of a regional housing order across parts of England.
“Vigilance remains key: all bird keepers must comply with mandatory biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and prevent the spread of this devastating disease.
“Defra must continue to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to extend the housing order if the risk increases.”
READ MORE: Bird flu: Warning issued to Blackburn with Darwen bird keepers
READ MORE: Before Covid-19, East Lancs had to deal with Spanish Flu
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) also remains in force across the entirety of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of outbreaks of the disease.
This requires taking enhanced biosecurity measures such as reporting of changes in egg production, mandatory record keeping, disinfecting footwear, and cleansing & disinfecting housing and concrete walkways continuously
The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza.
Keepers in the areas with housing measures need to be additionally vigilant to the requirements of the AIPZ.
Members of the public have been urged to report the findings of dead birds online or by calling the Defra Helpline.
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