The government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed a number of cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in the wild bird population of Huntingdonshire, centred on the River Great Ouse.

Avian influenza in the area was first confirmed to Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) and the Town Councils by DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on August 10.

A spokesperson for DEFRA said: "We are aware of the wild bird deaths in the Huntingdon District, and birds including common buzzard were collected and tested positive for avian influenza."

According to a report published weekly by the APHA on findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Great Britain, there were two findings in the Huntingdonshire district last week.

Four wild birds tested positive, which included the Common Buzzard and Mute Swan.

The UK Health Security Agency has said that bird flu is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public's health is very low. However, it is vital that people do not touch sick live birds or bird carcasses.

DEFRA has said that the disease can take two-three weeks to pass through a bird population.

The public is advised not to touch or pick up dead or sick birds, stick to footpaths, not to feed wild waterfowl and keep dogs on leads.

The spokesperson for DEFRA added: "Members of the public should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if they find one or more dead bird of prey or owl, three or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks), five or more dead birds of any species.

"Where dead birds are on public land it is the local authorities responsibility to safely dispose of the carcases as animal by-products."

HDC's website states they remain in contact with DEFRA "to manage the situation efficiently and effectively".

For more information and advice, visit HDC's Avian Flu Guidance webpage at: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/news/avian-flu-guidance.