ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando officials said on Monday that “the deaths of several different birds” at Lake Eola Park were found to be positive for Avian flu after two more swans were found dead at Lake Eola on Sunday.
According to a news release from the city, there have been 21 total bird deaths since Dec. 17, 2025, of which 19 were Royal Mute swans.
“The city is taking all necessary precautions as recommended by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as well as local veterinarians, to keep our community safe and limit the spread of Avian Influenza,” Orlando officials said in part in the release.
The latest deaths come after 11 birds were found dead at the park at the end of last month, prompting an ongoing investigation into what is killing the birds. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
[VIDEO: ‘Not as high as we thought:’ Officials probe cause of 11 bird deaths at Orlando’s Lake Eola]
Lake Eola is home to the city’s iconic swans, a symbol woven into the park’s identity through holiday decorations, swan-shaped paddle boats and the birds themselves — making the deaths especially alarming for frequent visitors.
“It’s really sad. I come here all the time,” said Evan Burgos, who was at the park Sunday. “So sometimes you do see, like, the dead swan bodies, like people picking them up and, you know, disposing of them, which is. Yeah, it’s pretty sad. And it’s been a lot of them recently.”
Orlando officials said that although people rarely get sick with bird flu, they should still try to limit their exposure to the virus by taking t he following precautions recommended by the CDC:
- Avoid direct contact with birds and only observe them from a distance
- Do not feed birds
- Avoid contact with any bird excrement
- Remove your shoes before entering your home and clean them off if contamination is suspected
Warning signs have also been posted throughout the park, advising visitors to keep their distance from birds and protect their pets.
“It is kind of, you know, weird because not only swans that I’ve seen, I’ve seen birds like, crows and stuff. Just dead all over the place,” said Evan Burgos
Visitors are also being urged to watch where they step. City officials recommend wiping the bottom of shoes if they come into contact with bird droppings to avoid potential exposure.
City Commissioner Patty Sheehan told News 6 that park rangers are working daily from 4-6 a.m. to clean sidewalks and monitor conditions throughout the park.
Officials say anyone who encounters a dead bird should not touch it. Instead, visitors are urged to notify a park ranger immediately so trained staff can safely handle the situation.
“Remember, our Lake Eola swans are wild animals and should never be handled or touched by members of the public,” the city’s release continued. “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends allowing the Avian Influenza to run its course as some birds may build immunity and estimated a month of dissipation of infections. We will continue to follow their recommendations, track, monitor and report any new infections to FWC while remaining vigilant in our efforts related to disinfecting the park and keep the public informed.”
Orlando experienced a major outbreak of avian flu in Feb. 2024. Although officials said there is no confirmation that the current deaths are linked, the city has removed bird feeders to limit interaction between people and wildlife.