EXTRA coverings have been put in Bournemouth Aviary to follow "strict" precautions in light of a bird flu outbreak in the south west of England.

The step has been taken to ensure the rescue birds receive the "best care".

The risk to the general public's health is said to be "very low".

Following a number of detections of avian influenza in poultry and wild and captive birds across the south west of England, there is now a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in place.

The AIPZ in the south west of England was active from 12pm on August 31.

There is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in those areas to implement enhanced biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “There is a Regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone currently in place in Devon and Cornwall in the south west and we’re continuing to follow strict biosecurity measures to help limit the spread of the avian flu.

"We have installed the covers as a precaution to make sure that we have the best care for our rescue birds.

"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low.”