Concerns about a potential avian flu outbreak have arisen on Florida’s Space Coast in Central Florida, following the discovery of deceased birds in the area.

Although no cases have been officially confirmed, the Florida Wildlife Hospital, a nonprofit organization, has taken proactive measures by sending samples of the birds found in Brevard County for testing.

The organization highlighted that the influx of birds migrating from northern regions might be introducing the virus to the state.

Tracy Frampton, who leads the Florida Wildlife Hospital, shared with Fox 35 Orlando that vigilant monitoring of these migrating birds is being conducted.

Amid these concerns, a deceased seabird was spotted on a beach in Brevard County along Florida’s Space Coast. (Photo by Michael Shay)

“It spreads so easily and if they bring it from up north when they come down here, it certainly is a concern, so we always keep an eye out,” Frampton said.

She said the sickness affects the brain and that neurological issues have been noted in the past. Avian flu last broke out in Florida in 2022, when thousands of birds died.

“They could not keep their head upright. They’re swimming in circles, maybe falling over, just really messed up their neurological system,” Frampton said.

A person touches a test tube labelled “Bird Flu”, in this file picture illustration. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Michael Shay, a local beachgoer, recorded several dead birds lying within several feet of each other on a beach last week.

“It’s very sickening, very disheartening,” he said.

Shay said he witnessed dead pelicans, seagulls and gannets.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials told Fox Orlando that avian flu was not easily transmissible from birds to people but urged the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds while the situation was under review.

A dead seabird lies on a beach along Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County, where wildlife officials said bird samples were sent out for testing.A dead seabird was found on a beach along Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County amid concerns about possible avian flu. (Michael Shay)

It comes as Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan held a news conference on Monday to discuss the deaths of at least a dozen swans at Lake Eola Park that died at the downtown park in recent days. The cause remains unknown, though Sheehan speculated avian flu could be responsible.

She said the swans’ bodies are being stored so necropsies can be performed.

Avian flu has been confirmed in poultry flocks in other parts of the country, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which shows nearly 2,000 flocks have tested positive nationwide since 2022.

Recent outbreaks were documented at poultry farms and backyard flocks in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York, affecting more than 128,000 birds combined.