New bird flu outbreak needs 'urgent action'

Expert fear as deaths spread to other animals

- JOHN-PAUL CLARK

URGENT action is needed to tackle avian flu amid fears it has spread to mammals after wiping out thousands of Scottish seabirds.

Harbour and gray seals were found dead from the virus in the North Atlantic this week, after a previous outbreak in 2014 was said to have killed almost 10 per cent of Europe's population of the animals.

Speaking to the Record, officials at bird protection charity RSPB Scotland warned "urgent action" must be taken now to contain the current outbreak.

The surge in cases has caused an estimated 200,000 bird deaths around the UK and led to the closure of nature-watching spots such as the Isle of May on the Firth of Forth.