During Thursday morning, the county administrative board will put up information signs at Tofta and Gnisvärd.

The purpose of the signs is to inform visitors about the ongoing bird flu outbreak and what to do if they see a dead or sick bird.

- Even though the risk is low that the infection affects people, it is important to inform the public not to touch sick or dead birds on the beaches, says county veterinarian Agneta Karlsson Norström.

This week, the County Administrative Board has had a number of collaboration meetings with, among others, Region Gotland, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the Swedish Public Health Agency and the Swedish Veterinary Institute (SVA).

During weeks 29 and 30, the county administrative board, in collaboration with the Lifesaving Society and other non-profit organizations, will regularly visit the beaches and care for dead and sick birds.

The plan is to collect the birds and store them in freezers.

They will then be transported away for incineration.

- How many birds float ashore along the shores depends on winds and sea currents.

Unfortunately, many dead and sick birds have flown ashore in the area around Tofta.

Given the large number of visitors to the beaches, it is important that we take care of these birds for everyone's well-being, says county veterinarian Agneta Karlsson Norström.

The eruption at Karlsöarna is believed to have a major impact on the alcoves that breed in the area.

How many birds have become ill is difficult to answer.

- We believe that a large number of birds have died.

At present, it is mainly herring guillemots and thundercloths that have been reported, but we have also received information about other dead wild bird species, says Agneta.

SVT has previously drawn attention to the dead herring pigs on Gotland:

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Ulf Ahlquist found dead herring guillemots on the Fröjel coast and then contacted supervisor Måns Hjernquist.

Photo: Märta Gross Hulth / SVT