Efforts to control what appears to be an outbreak of bird flu affecting swans in the Thames Valley region are underway, involving both members of the public and charitable workers. The situation has become increasingly urgent as confirmed cases continue to climb significantly.
Official records from the Animal and Plant Health Agency show 324 swan deaths from bird flu since October. However, the first month of 2026 alone accounted for 39 of these cases, suggesting the outbreak may be accelerating at an alarming rate.
Evidence suggests that the actual scale of the crisis may be substantially larger than official statistics indicate. Swan Support reported discovering 46 dead swans in Windsor and Maidenhead beginning in mid-January, with an additional 26 found in Newbury. Recent discoveries included two deceased birds in Windsor and three more in Hurley within consecutive days, raising urgent concerns about disease spread.
Symptoms observed in affected birds have been distinctive and severe. According to Wendy Hermon from Swan Support, dying swans displayed circular movements, eye bleeding, and extreme lethargy. While bodies have been submitted for testing, official confirmation of bird flu as the cause has not yet been provided by authorities.
The H5N1 virus strain has caused widespread devastation among UK bird populations since 2021. This pathogen proves exceptionally contagious, with research demonstrating that a single infected bird can transmit the virus to approximately 100 others. Transmission occurs through multiple routes including bodily fluids and waste materials.
David Barber, who serves as the king’s swan marker monitoring bird populations, described the situation as among the worst years recorded for avian flu outbreaks. He indicated that while documented deaths exceed forty in the Thames Valley, the actual number is likely double this figure, with formal confirmation from authorities still pending.
Swan Support continues collecting deceased birds and removing them from waterways to prevent further disease transmission to other species. The organization emphasized that public participation in reporting suspected cases has been invaluable, and stressed that removing infected birds prevents wider viral spread.
Public guidance recommends avoiding contact with dead or sick birds and maintaining thorough hand hygiene after feeding wild birds or handling feathers. Reports of deceased wild birds can be submitted through online channels or by contacting the dedicated Defra helpline.
