DEAR Editor – Re the avian flu outbreak, there have been no deaths or sick swans in Worcester for over a week.

The barriers were put up at the top of the boathouse steps next to the Severn in Worcester to reduce the possibility of infection being spread by walking in droppings.

Exceptions were made by the city council for two named volunteers to cross the barrier at different times for the welfare of the swans.  These volunteers are equipped with the appropriate sprays for their boots on leaving the step area.

We are monitoring the river for any further outbreaks. Last year there were no further deaths once the virus had passed through the flock.

There is no reason why people should not feed swans in Worcester on account of the virus.

The swans flock together naturally before feeding times, and at night many of them sleep in the shelter of Diglis Island or the oil basin, towards which sick swans tend to drift anyway.  They get thoroughly mixed up.

And the more hungry the swans are, the more they will bunch together at regular feeding times.

We can try to spread the swans out by the way we feed – it makes us feel better to think we are doing something to help but really the virus is a natural occurrence in a flock that builds some immunity in survivors – just like all the infections our youngsters get in school every winter.

Marilyn McCarthy

Swan Food Project