Avian flu is killing thousands of UK birds

An outbreak of avian flu could have a potentially devastating impact on Britain's wild birds, especially globally important seabird populations

- Simon Birch

A DEADLY STRAIN OF AVIAN FLU IS ripping through seabird colonies around the Scottish coast, leaving thousands of dead and dying birds in its trail.

"We are in completely unchartered territory and the impact that this form of avian influenza is having on wild birds says the is completely unprecedented," RSPB's Paul Walton.

In response to the deepening crisis, Defra has launched a research consortium to understand the impact of this new strain of avian flu on wild birds and poultry.