‘Patient zero’ in the UK’s bird flu outbreak has been banned from keeping ducks for a year, a move that has left him “absolutely distraught”.
Alan Gosling’s beloved pet ducks were culled earlier this month when they were discovered to be infected with the deadly disease.
The 79-year-old from Buckfastleigh, Devon, also tested positive and was forced to quarantine in his own home.
Alan since tested negative, allowing him to return to his daily life after his home has been deep cleaned.
However, because his property isn't suited to a deep clean and restock of ducks, he isn't allowed to get more ducks for a year.
His family have said that on top of losing his pets, and catching the disease himself, he was dealt another blow when he was told this.
Daughter-in-law Ellesha Gosling, 26, said: "When the ducks were killed, his only bit of hope was that he'd be able to get more.
"He thought hope was not lost because he could fill the void after losing his closest companions.
"But now he's been told it's not safe for new ducks to go onto his land for a whole year. Dad's face dropped when he was told.
"It really hurt him because that's what was keeping him going. They took away all his friends and now he has been left with nothing."
Alan had previously described the 160-strong group of Muscovy ducks, 20 of whom lived inside with him, as his “family”.
Several of them had tested positive for a new strain of bird flu, known as H5N1, and tests were also run on Alan as several had lived inside his house with him.
A few days later he also was confirmed to be the first UK case - despite having no symptoms - and has remained isolated in his empty home since.
He said of the culling: "I keep turning it over in my head and when I go to sleep it's what I dream about - it never leaves my mind.
"They were like my family and I miss them like hell. I hand-reared them from chicks and some of them were 12 or 13 years old."
Despite plans for decontamination, Ellesha and husband Richard Gosling, 47, said they have been told no ducks will be allowed for at least 12 months.
She added: "We were told that his property wouldn't be suited to a full cleanse then a restock."
"Dad's face dropped when he was told he couldn't have any more for a year - he couldn't believe it.
"He is absolutely distraught. When the ducks were killed, his only bit of hope was that he'd be able to get more.
"He thought all was not lost because of that, but now he has been told no - it really hurt him. They took away all his friends and now he has been left with nothing."
The Animal and Plant Health Agency has been approached for comment
