Submissions to PBMS suspended due to concerns over the risk of exposure to avian influenza (bird flu)

Due to concerns over the risk of exposure to avian influenza (bird flu) through the handling of sick and dead wild birds the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) team has taken the decision to suspend the submission of birds to the PBMS with immediate effect.

The UK Health Security Agency has said that the risk to the public from this bird flu strain is very low. It mainly affects birds.

However, the government advice is 'do not touch or move any dead or sick wild birds' – instead, please report them here. If you want to submit a report without providing contact details, phone Defra on 03459 33 55 77.

If you have already handled the bird please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. For more advice go to the https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bird-flu/.

We hope in the future we’ll be able to reinstate submissions to the PBMS - either if the situation changes with bird flu or we are able to develop methods to minimise risk to contributors to the PBMS.