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The advice given here applies in all circumstances where members of the public may come across a dead bird.

Members of the public in Great Britain are no longer asked to report the finding of small numbers of dead wild birds but are asked to remain vigilant for incidents where 10 birds or more are found dead in the same location and at the same time.

If you need to report an incident, call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or e-mail helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Defra may wish to have the birds examined for signs of specific diseases and will advise you on what action you should take.

If the dead bird is a single small garden or wild bird then you do not need to call Defra. It can be left alone or disposed of following the guidelines below.

Wild birds can carry several diseases that are infectious to people and some simple hygiene precautions should minimise the risk of infection. It is hard for people to catch avian influenza from birds and the following simple steps are also effective against avian influenza.

If you have to move a dead bird:

1. Avoid touching the bird with your bare hands.
2. If possible, wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling (see step 7 if disposable gloves are not available).
3. Place the dead bird in a suitable plastic bag, preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
4. Tie the bag and place it in a second plastic bag.
5. Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. Tie the bag and dispose of in the normal household refuse bin.
6. Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
7. If disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be used as a make-shift glove. When the dead bird has been picked up, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied. It should then be placed in a second plastic bag, tied and disposed of in the normal household waste.
8. Alternatively, the dead bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag.
9. Any clothing that has been in contact with the dead bird should be washed using ordinary washing detergent at the temperature normally used for washing the clothing.
10. Any contaminated indoor surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with normal household cleaner.