23 Dec 2025
An outbreak of bird flu has been reported at Verulamium Lake, with numbers of geese said to have died.
A spokesperson for SADC said: “We have been informed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that two dead Canada Geese collected from Verulamium Park tested positive for Avian Influenza H5N1.
“We have acted on UKHSA advice and placed warning signs at the park urging people not to touch any dead birds they may come across.
“For the health and welfare of the birds you should keep your distance from wild birds as much as possible. Wherever possible, you should not touch or handle wild birds.”
“We will, of course, report any further instances of dead birds to the UKHSA and liaise with them about any further actions we should take.
“Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health Department are aware of what has happened, and we will also be taking guidance from them.”
A Swan Rescue Herts officer said: “There are many areas around the country that are seeing large numbers of swans die. Sadly it’s currently a bad year for the virus.
“I will still attend waterfowl in the Herts area despite our local outbreak but in some occasions I may ask for a video of the bird before heading out. This is to ensure I take any extra precautions with handling them etc. I have birds of my own and their health is my priority so I must be careful. They are under strict biosecurity back at home by my choice. Thankfully I have my vet nursing knowledge that I am already very careful about biosecurity even in the summer season.
“As ever please don’t stop feeding the wild birds. If you’re in an area where there is a known outbreak of avian flu please be mindful. Don’t hand feed birds and keep your dogs on a lead, birds suffering the flu will be weaker and more prone to being attacked by an uncontrolled dog. Keep your local flocks healthy by feeding particularly in the poorer and colder weather. Corn, wheat, waterfowl pellets, sweetcorn, peas, shredded greens are all good. If you have nothing else whole grain bread is fine in small amounts but should not consist of their mainstay food.
“Thank you for keeping an eye on all the birds out there. Heres keeping everything crossed that the virus does not worsen over the rest of the winter months.”
Further advice on avian influenza and how a dead bird can be reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe-by-minimising-contact-with-wild-birds
