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Environment Minister Gillian Martin has thanked organisations and partners in Scotland for their efforts to respond to the ongoing avian flu outbreak in wild birds.

Speaking on a visit to the Scottish Seabird Centre in East Lothian, Ms Martin said that the last two years had been some of the most challenging on record for wild bird populations and the people who care for them.

In the year to 30 September 2022, surveillance data showed avian flu was present in 34 wild bird species in Scotland. In the spring and summer of 2022, a total of approximately 20,500 seabird deaths across 160 locations were reported to NatureScot.

It comes as the Scottish Government published a new Scottish Wild Bird Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response Plan which sets out the multi-agency approach to monitoring and mitigating the spread of the virus.

The plan provides guidance to regulators, the general public, those involved in animal rescue, researchers and academics and environmental non-government bodies on issues relating to avian flu in wild birds.

Background

Environment Minister thanks partners for avian flu response - full press release (gov.scot)

Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan (gov.scot)