Concerns have been raised that dead gulls spotted in the sea were killed by the latest outbreak of avian flu.

A fisherman said yesterday morning’s sighting off Herne Bay was unprecedented, while government officials have today warned against touching unwell or deceased birds.

Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans.

It comes as measures put in place to stop the spread of bird flu after an outbreak in Folkestone have been lifted.

Commercial fisherman Myles Barling was a mile offshore near Bishopstone when he came across the birds at about 9am.

“I was quite shocked, being a commercial fisherman I am regularly at sea weekly,” he said.

“I have never witnessed this. I am a wildlife lover so seeing three dead seagulls within 10 minutes when out at sea, I was shocked.”

Mr Barling took pictures of the remains and an unwell seagull to report his concerns to the authorities.

“I instantly thought I better take some pictures and post online for advice,” he said.

“Soon after this, I saw a sick bird too. I wanted to help it but did not want to touch it due to government advice on bird flu.”

The RSPCA says the seagulls could have died due to a UK-wide avian flu outbreak.

“High numbers of sick and dying seabirds and waterfowl are being reported across the UK due to the ongoing and severe UK-wide avian flu outbreak, which is continuing to spread through bird populations,” a spokesperson said.

“It's been devastating for the RSPCA - and wildlife lovers across the country - to see birds perish from this awful disease.”

They added that avian flu can be carried by all bird species, but seabirds, waterfowl and birds of prey are the most common species reported.

“This is a highly contagious disease within birds and it’s important to take all precautions to stop its spread,” they said.

“The UK Government continues to advise not to touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. High-risk species in particular require the wearing of PPE, so incidents of that nature should be reported to the RSPCA helpline. If the bird has already been touched, hands should be washed immediately, along with any surfaces that have been contacted.”

Defra, which should be contacted when a dead seagull is spotted, said deceased wild birds are triaged but not all birds will be collected.

“The criteria for which birds are collected (species and numbers) are adjusted to increase or decrease the sensitivity of surveillance,” a spokesperson said.

“When APHA receives reports of dead wild birds, APHA and their contractors will collect some of these birds for testing to help us understand how the disease is distributed geographically and in different types of wild bird. Results from wild bird testing help us to tell where the disease is distributed across the country, as well as understand the risk posed to poultry and other captive birds, to help us work with farmers to prevent the disease being transferred into the captive bird population.

“Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you touch wild bird faeces or feathers or after feeding wild birds.”