A further outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed on the Isle of Man.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded on Tuesday after a lady found a dead goose in her garden in St John’s.

The wild bird was collected and subsequent tests confirmed it died from the same H5N1 strain that killed a number of kept geese and feral chickens in the north of the island last month. This is the third case of bird flu recorded in the island.

As it’s a wild bird no further restrictions will be required and well-cooked local poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat, according to DEFA.

An all-island ‘surveillance zone’ will remain in place and keepers should house their birds and practice good biosecurity.

People are being asked not to feed wild waterfowl or chickens, especially at the nearby arboretum in St John’s, as these species are most susceptible to carrying and spreading the virus, and encouraging them to congregate can increase the risk to their health.Anyone who suspects a case should contact the animal health team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01624 685844.