Orlando officials are on high alert after 12 swans were found dead at Lake Eola Park, with concerns mounting over a potential avian flu outbreak. City Commissioner Patty Sheehan revealed the troubling discovery to WESH, stating that "We can't be certain until tests are completed," but suspicions of bird flu are high considering the rapid sequence of deaths, which started with two swans last Tuesday and escalated over the holiday period to a total of 12.
Specialized veterinary experts, who were not available during the holidays, are now tasked with conducting necropsies to establish the cause of these fatalities. Patty Sheehan expressed to WFTV the gravity of the situation, recalling an earlier avian flu outbreak in February of the last year, which sets a concerning precedent for the park's current circumstance. Officials have responded by removing feeders and initiating sanitation operations around Lake Eola Park in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading.
As the city braces for potential health impacts, it has issued guidelines for park visitors to minimize any interaction with the park's avian inhabitants. People are advised to admire the birds from a safe distance, refrain from making contact with any bird droppings, and practice good hygiene by removing shoes before entering their homes to avoid cross-contamination, echoing the precautions outlined by Sheehan in her statement.
