THE DISCOVERY of almost two dozen birds in Worcestershire with avian flu has prompted experts to fear the future of endangered bird species across the region.

20 wild pheasants carrying avian flu where found in the Wychavon district at the end of September, according to the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs.

A statement from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency said: "High pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 has been detected in a number of wild birds in Great Britain this autumn.

"This includes the first reported wild bird mass mortality of the season associated with an HPAI finding.

"The risk level of HPAI H5 in wild birds has increased from low to medium."

The UK's cases of bird flu in recent years have been dominated by the H5N1 strain. 

However, the H5N5 strain has become significantly more common this autumn, which Defra said followed previous findings in Great Britain and recent detections of the strain in Europe.

The pheasants, found in Wychavon, are part of the largest group of birds to be found with bird flu anywhere in the country this year and were found to have H5N5.

Helen Woodman, head of conservation at the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: "The finding of avian flu is of grave concern. 

"Over the last few years, avian flu has decimated populations of wild birds both across the UK and internationally.

"One in six species in the UK is at risk of extinction so anything that further threatens their population is bad news.

"We'd ask members of the public to be vigilant and to report any sick birds to the relevant authorities."

While concern grows over the disease's effects on birds, it is currently believed there is little risk about it spreading to humans.

Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at UKHSA, said: "Current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we're seeing circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to people. 

"However, we know already that the virus can spread to people following contact with infected birds and this is why, through surveillance programmes, we are monitoring people who have been exposed to learn more about these risks."