BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The bird flu impacted several types of animals in Brevard County’s Indian River Lagoon, including three dolphins that died early last year, according to an update this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“This is only the second recorded instance of a dolphin acquiring the highly pathogenic avian influenza,” research scientist Wendy Noke Durden from the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute’s Melbourne Beach lab explained.
Although the exact method of transmission is unknown, it is believed that the dolphins came into contact with infected birds.
“Dolphins in the lagoon often feed communally on large schools of fish alongside numerous birds, which may shed the virus through saliva, mucus, respiratory vapor or feces,” Durden added.
The update coincides with an announcement from the Florida Wildlife Hospital on social media, stating six positive cases of bird flu were found in Brevard County.
“When birds exhibit flu symptoms, they often experience neurological issues, such as seizures or neurological damage,” noted Tracy Frampton, executive director of the Florida Wildlife Hospital.
The USDA also released a map dating back to 2022 showing that other mammals, including mice and polar bears, have contracted the bird flu.
Durden mentioned that household animals and humans could also be affected, although the risk is low.
She advised “keeping a safe distance from dead wildlife is a precaution and ensuring that pets consume safe food.”
Durden emphasized the importance of monitoring the flu in the Indian River Lagoon, as the dolphin population there is already immunocompromised due to multiple unusual mortality events over the past few decades.
“Additionally, fishing nets and gear have further impacted the dolphin population,” she noted.
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