ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 More swans at Lake Eola in Orlando have died. Volunteers who care for the swans now say 17 have died in a nearly two-week span.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s the flu, again, we\u2019re getting way ahead of ourselves because I don\u2019t know yet,\u201d Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said at a news conference last week.<\/p>\n
A recent video shows one of Lake Eola\u2019s sick swans. Volunteers said it was left suffering by the lake over the weekend. Then they said it was placed in a pen with no food or water.<\/p>\n
Sheehan is waiting for official confirmation as to what is killing the swans.<\/p>\n
State preliminary reports show it is the avian flu. While experts believe it will most likely be confirmed, the city is waiting for official confirmation from the CDC.<\/p>\n
As we await test results, 17 swans have died.<\/p>\n
Volunteers are calling for change as this continues to spread from migrating wild birds.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo unfortunately, that\u2019s how diseases and bacteria spread, or viruses spread.\u201d A volunteer said. \u201cSo, if they would take the initiative to move these feeders throughout different areas and actually fill them up, that would really help the mitigate the congregation of the swans on one place.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city said it is taking precautions. We\u2019re told crews are cleaning up defecation and sanitizing hubs where swans like to congregate.<\/p>\n
Back and forth between the city and volunteers is ongoing as both sides hope to bridge the current divide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to figure it out as we go along,\u201d Sheehan said. \u201cI\u2019m heartbroken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n