Bird flu continues on the coast

For more than a month, the bird flu virus has been making seabirds sick or killing them on the coast. Experts estimate it may be that the virus will continue to do the rounds.

The Bird Sanctuary Center in Ostend receives ten sick birds every day. Young gulls have to be quarantined and can only be released afterwards if they have no symptoms. If a gull is apathetic or passive rather than reactive as usual, that most likely indicates that the animal is infected.

The current variant of the bird flu virus is not immediately harmful to humans, but it can infect us. If you have a low immunity, it is best not to touch a sick bird. The influenza line or the telephone number of the municipality can be reached for reports of dead or sick animals.