Avian Flu

Avian flu hit the headlines in this area when dead seabirds were washed up on the coast  and not because it affected commercial enterprises. The arrival of infected seabirds caused this area to become an Avian Flu Prevention Zone and the Marine Conservation Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust described the situation as a "global pandemic". Therefore, it seems unlikely that the cause is human intervention in the way you describe.

Here’s an interesting fact which certainly poses several questions, some possibly about the impact of such release of huge amounts of birds into an environment and the control of Avian Flu.

‘It is estimated that in August each year, the volume of gamebirds being reared for shooting in the UK is equal to half the biomass of all Britain’s wild birds.’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/10/calls-to-ban-gamebird-release-to-avoid-catastrophic-avian-flu-outbreak

But were they diseased? They were monitored as they were reared so disease would have  been noticed. I agree they would be released in big numbers and again too intensive.I have no interest in the game bird industry and find the idea of shooting tame half grown birds ridiculous.In any case my money is too valuable. How does that number compare with the Geese,Ducks and other winter migrants.

Agreed Fish, but what was interesting was the density of gamebirds mentioned and it’s relationship to the total biomass of all wild birds in the UK. Quite amazing in my view.

Sadly controls/bans on game bird release have only recently come into effect. However this, it has been noted, was implemented after the usual annual mass release which takes place around September. Now I wonder why this rather late date was decided upon and considered ‘important’?

Fisherman I think Avian flu is probably always around to some extent but rather like the Sars virus and Covid it's a highly infectious strain that's hit this time. The poultry industry has a lot of outdoor reared birds so that is a major problem for those involved. Not quite sure what you're saying really as birds have always migrated and I think the first big major outbreak started with migratory birds arriving here, nothing to do with reserves or feeding birds. Having seen dead sea birds in Devon this year it's a very sad sight. 

The Norfolk. Broads and the Great ouse in Bedfordshire Avian flue has been detected in the swans and many have had to be put down

Sadly more worrying news is circulating that another virus, Avian Paramyxoviridae, may be spreading amongst our bird populations! I’d never heard of this until today, what’s happening?

Seems to be increasing on reserves with high population particularly swans

What now? Foxes to be as diseased as Badgers. 

Not looking good. Hope AstraZeneka can rescue the situation again.