The advice given by Defra applies to all situations where members of the public find a dead bird.
If you find:
— a dead swan
— a dead goose
— a dead duck
or
— three or more dead wild or garden birds in the same place
Report this by phoning 08459 33 55 77 (6.00am-10.00pm.) and follow their instructions.
If you see just one small garden or wild bird you do not need to report it. Leave it alone. (As at 6 April, 2006)
If you want to dispose of the small single garden dead bird:
— Don’t touch it with your bare hands (wear disposable gloves).
— Place it in a leak-proof plastic bag. Careful you do not contaminate the outside of the bag.
— Tie the end of the bag and put that bag in another plastic bag.
— Take your gloves off carefully by turning them inside-out.
— Place them in the outer plastic bag.
— Tie the outer plastic bag and dump it in your rubbish bin.
— Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
What if I don’t have disposable gloves?
You can use a plastic bag, place your hand in it and use it as you would a glove. Pick the bird up and turn the bag inside out with the bird inside and tie the end. Then follow the same procedure (place that bag in another plastic bag and tie the end of that one).
Can I bury the bird?
Yes. But don’t bury it in the plastic bag. Pick it up with disposable gloves or a make-shift plastic bag (if you have no gloves). Then, when you have buried the bird, place the gloves (or makeshift bag used as a glove) into a plastic bag, tie the end and dump it in your rubbish bin.
What if my clothing touched the dead bird?
Wash it in the washing machine, with washing detergent. Use the temperature you would normally use for that item of clothing.
What about contaminated surfaces and flooring?
Clean it thoroughly with a household cleaner.
Source: www.defra.gov.uk
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today