Torbay seagull tests positive for bird flu

A herring gull in Torquay has tested positive for H5N1 avian flu, Torbay Council has confirmed.

The discovery comes a month after a case of avian flu was confirmed at a commercial poultry business near Teignmouth.

The local authority said signs were going up at parks and beaches in the area advising residents on how to report suspected cases of the disease.

Public health officials said the surveillance zone covering Torquay and parts of Paignton remained the same, as was the advice not to touch dead or unwell birds and to keep pets away.

Torbay's Public Health website said: "If you spot a dead wild bird in any of our public places, report it to SWISCo, who will collect and dispose of them.

"This includes birds such as gulls, pigeons, ducks, swans and hawks.

"This could be on a beach, in a park, on a highway or pavement."

It added the risk to human health was low.

Bird flu was also found in a herring gull in Newquay earlier this month.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].