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Bird flu outbreak confirmed at RSPB Minsmere reserve

RSPB/Louise Chapman RSPB MinsmereRSPB/Louise Chapman
RSPB Minsmere nature reserve is home to thousands of species

An outbreak of bird flu has killed at least 60 birds at an RSPB reserve.

Birds were tested at RSPB Minsmere, on the Suffolk coast by Defra officials.

In a statement, the reserve said: "We can confirm that dead birds tested by Defra for avian influenza at RSPB Minsmere last week, have tested positive for the disease."

The 2,500-acre reserve provides a habitat for more than 6,000 species, including rare birds like the avocet and bittern.

Black-headed gulls, common terns, Sandwich terns and one kittiwake were among those which died.

Visitors to the former BBC Springwatch base have been asked to report any sick or dead birds they see, and not to touch them.

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