PHOTO OF SICK PEKIN DUCK BY ANDREW MARSHALL
The City of Orlando issued a public advisory on Thursday, January 22, saying residents reported finding several dead wild birds at Lake Davis Park. The city said it has not independently confirmed that test result, but urged residents to take precautions because avian influenza has been reported in multiple parts of Florida.
Those residents were none other than PJ and Andrew Marshall, who you may recall from our in-depth story, “Dead in the Water,” about the recent swan deaths at Lake Eola Park. The Marshalls run a non-profit called Friends of a Feather (Website) that cares for the health needs of non-native waterfowl in and around downtown Orlando. They responded to a sick Pekin duck at Lake Davis on January 18 and worked with Lake Davis residents to have it treated at St. Charles Veterinary Hospital (Website) in Davenport. The vet then confirmed the duck had tested positive for bird flu on January 21. Since then, a Muscovy duck and an Egyptian goose have also passed away at Lake Davis.
City officials are telling residents not to touch or handle birds that appear sick or are deceased and to keep pets from approaching wildlife, noting that direct contact with infected animals or contaminated material is the primary concern. The city also referenced CDC guidance that avian influenza can infect humans, though infections remain uncommon. The CDC continues to describe the overall public health risk as low and says there is no known person-to-person spread in the current U.S. situation.
As part of basic hygiene, the city recommended residents remove or clean their shoes if they suspect they stepped in contaminated material. Public health guidance commonly emphasizes reducing the chance of tracking contaminated material indoors, especially after exposure to areas where sick or dead birds may be present.
Marshall also shared that since our report, he and other volunteers have not been allowed to resume their duties caring for the swans at Lake Eola, as those tasks have been assumed by Parks staff for the foreseeable future.
