Bird flu has been detected in a wild water fowl on the Uists.
A sample taken from a dead swan on the South Uist estate tested positive for the new strain of Avian Flu H5N8.
Western Isles Council urges islanders to be vigilant.
The UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed a swab was taken from a infected wild bird discovered dead on the South Uist and Benbecula estate.
The UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs says the risk of incursion of avian influenza is "very high" for wild birds, medium for poultry with high biosecurity, and high for poultry with poor biosecurity.
The environment agency warned: "Wild birds can spread the disease to poultry and other captive birds so keeping poultry and captive birds separate from wild birds is key."
Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said the risk to human health from the virus is very low.
Islanders are asked to report the finding of any dead wild birds to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
Poultry are not allowed to roam free under emergency rules aimed at tackling the spread of the disease. They must be housed to stop any threat of picking up the disease from wild birds.
People are asked not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds found in the wild.
Wild swans are a feature of Uists' moorland. Over the winter, flocks migrate from Iceland's chillier temperatures with many taking up temporary residence on the islands' fresh water lochs.
Poultry on a farm on the island of Sanday in Orkney was culled last month after bird flu was detected in the flock. A six mile prevention control zone was set up around the premises.
Bird flu found in Western Isles swan
14 January 2021
