A duck has become the first resident bird to catch avian influenza at the headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, Glos - following three wild geese being confirmed with the disease last month.

The duck died on Wednesday and was sent to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for testing as is protocol.

APHA confirmed on Thursday that the duck had the H5N8 strain of bird flu and imposed a temporary restriction zone around the wetland centre while they determine whether the strain is highly pathogenic or not.

Highly pathogenic H5N8 was found in three wild geese at Slimbridge on the wider reserve at the end of last month.

It has also been found in both captive and wild birds across the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands this autumn.

The collection of waterbirds at Slimbridge was established by broadcaster and conservationist, Sir Peter Scott, in 1946 and contains rare and unusual wetland birds from around the world including all six species of flamingo.

According to the gov.uk website, Public Health England (PHE) advise that the risk to public health from the H5N8 strain of bird flu is very low.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre has been closed to the public since Thursday, November 5 in compliance with government coronavirus regulations for the four-week lockdown in England.

Defra advise that Avian Influenza is in no way connected to the COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is not carried in poultry.

For more information visit gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu.