An outbreak of Avian Flu has been confirmed at a park in Wirral, Wirral Council has said.

The UK has recently seen a large number of outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in birds across the country.

Now a confirmed case has been found in Birkenhead Park.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The Council has received confirmation from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that there is a confirmed case of avian influenza from a dead bird removed from Birkenhead Park.

“The Council is working with Animal and Plant Health Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to confirm this and ensure suitable measures are put in place.

“In the meantime members of the public are urged to not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that they find. Signs reinforcing this message are being placed in the park.

"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.

“If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to Defra. You can do this through the website www.gov.uk/defra, or by calling 03459 33 55 77.”