Fatal virus Florida turtles

ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s a fatal virus infecting Florida’s freshwater turtle population, and wildlife experts are asking for the community’s help to track its spread.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said they’ve been studying the Turtle Fraservirus 1 (TFV1), formerly known as turtle bunyavirus, since early 2018. Since then, the virus has been detected in Putnam, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Polk, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River and Collier counties.

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FWC is asking Floridians to report sightings of sick, strangely acting or dead turtles through their Turtle Hotline at 352-339-8597 or through the FWC reporter app on your mobile device.

A turtle may be sick if it displays any of the following signs:

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— Appears sluggish, unresponsive or reluctant to flee.

— Stays in shallow water or beached on banks for a prolonged period of time.

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— Head and neck outstretched along the ground.

— Sunken, swollen, crusty and/or cloudy eyes.

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— Reddened skin on its head, neck, limbs or the bottom of its shell.

— Swims irregularly (sideways, in circles, or is unable to submerge).

FWC officials ask the public to take photos of the turtle if it is possible and without touching the turtle. To avoid spreading the virus, people should not capture, transport or release turtles in new locations, even if the turtle appears healthy.

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Officials also urge people to not eat turtles that are acting strangely or that appear unhealthy.

They said there is no current evidence to suggest that humans or wildlife other than turtles can be infected with TFV1.

For more information about TFV1, visit MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats, click on “Wildlife,” then “Freshwater Turtles” and “Turtle Fraservirus 1.”

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