Dead swan at Sandy Water Park, Llanelli
Poor dab. This dead swan was at the entrance to Sandy Water Park in Llanelli today. As I am a 'regular' at the park, it hadn't been there for more than 24 hours. It's taken as read that we are all on alert for outbreaks of avian flu. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in Llanelli was shut for a short while before Christmas as a precautionary move following the discovery of a dead wild duck (next to the Llwchwr Estuary) with H5N8 avian influenza (‘bird flu’). Earlier this month, The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales confirmed Avian Influenza H5N8 in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks on a premises near Pontyberem in the Gwendraeth Valley. Prior to confirmation, it was decided to cull the birds on strong suspicion of disease. It's important not to get too alarmed about all this. Avian flu is a concern for birds – not humans. This is NOT a strain of bird flu that has ever transferred to people. But, after today's discovery, I decided I would do a ...