Orlando Scrambles to Contain Lake Eola Swan Flu Outbreak

Internal emails show city's efforts to manage public messaging and misinformation amid swan deaths

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The city of Orlando worked behind the scenes to respond to the recent deaths of dozens of swans at Lake Eola, according to internal emails obtained exclusively by News 6. The emails reveal how the city handled public messaging amid growing concern and what staff described as misinformation online about the outbreak.

Why it matters

The Lake Eola swan population is an iconic part of Orlando's landscape, and the deaths have raised concerns about public health and the city's ability to transparently communicate about the situation. The internal emails provide a rare glimpse into how local governments navigate sensitive public health crises.

The details

The internal emails show city officials discussing strategies to address the swan deaths, including how to handle public messaging and respond to misinformation circulating online. The emails indicate the city was working to determine the cause of the outbreak and coordinate with state wildlife agencies.

  • The swan deaths occurred in recent weeks at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida.

The players

City of Orlando

The local government of Orlando, Florida, which oversees the Lake Eola park and swan population.

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What they’re saying

“We must be careful with our public messaging to avoid fueling further misinformation and panic in the community.”

— Orlando City Official (Internal email)

What’s next

The city is continuing to investigate the cause of the swan deaths and coordinate with state wildlife agencies. Officials plan to provide a public update on the situation in the coming days.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges local governments face in transparently communicating about sensitive public health issues while also managing misinformation and public concern. The internal emails reveal the behind-the-scenes work required to navigate such situations.