Two wild buzzards, which died around 8 or 9 February, were tested as part of the island’s surveillance programme and returned positive results for Avian Influenza A virus.
One of the two tested positive for the “highly pathogenic” H5 strain. It was not possible to confirm which strain the other had.
While the risk to public health is considered “low”, islanders are nonetheless being advised “not to handle unwell or dead wild birds.”
Chief Veterinary Officer Alistair Breed said the arrival of bird flu in Jersey was “very disappointing”, but “not entirely surprising given the recent outbreaks in the UK and France.”
“It is now even more important that bird keepers follow good biosecurity principles to prevent contact with wild birds, and house their birds if possible,” he added.
Flocks of over 30 birds are already required to be registered in Jersey, but all poultry keepers are now being urged to register their flocks with the Government to ensure they receive bird flu alerts.
A warning to local poultry-keepers was first put out late last year, as bird flu was first detected in the UK.
A suspension of import licences for poultry and hatching eggs was introduced last November. It remains in place.
