Thousands of dead starfish have washed up on UK beaches, raising health concerns

world news

by angela barbuti

Thousands of dead starfish have washed up on beaches in Kent, England, with local authorities warning people not to approach them for fear of disease.

According to the BBC, Thanet District Council has advised beachgoers to avoid dead creatures found on Margate Beach.

The report said: “The public is advised not to attempt to remove stranded marine animals and to keep dogs and children away from them as they may be carrying communicable or communicable diseases. ” he said.

Photos and videos of the mass die-off were posted on Facebook by wildlife conservationist Nick Mitchell on his Get Wild page.

Experts say the discovery, which was reported to local environmental authorities on Tuesday, is not unusual, especially after severe weather.

Dr Angus Jackson, a data analyst with the Marine Conservation Society, said starfish sometimes “roll arm in arm on the ocean floor”.

“Such strandings sometimes occur very close to the coastline, but this appears to be a particularly large-scale event.”