Canada geese collected Oct. 8 and Oct. 12 at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, better known as bird flu, the East Bay Regional Park District said Friday, Oct. 23.
Why it matters: Crown Beach is one of the East Bay's busiest shorelines, and the park district says infected birds could turn up anywhere in the East Bay.
How risky is it?
The park district says the risk to the public is low. Human infections can happen through close or prolonged contact with infected birds or contaminated areas.
The geese were collected by Alameda County Vector Control. Alameda County's public health department says H5N1 has been detected in the county 12 times in 2026.
What visitors should do
- Don't touch wild birds. Stay at least 50 feet from any dead bird.
- Keep children and dogs away from birds, carcasses and droppings.
- Report sick or dead birds to Alameda County Vector Control at (510) 567-6800, or Contra Costa County Vector Control at (925) 685-9301, with the exact location and a photo if you can.
The park district says it is working with Alameda County Public Health, Vector Control, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the City of Alameda, and will post updates.
Alameda County Health advises anyone who handled sick or dead birds without protection and then got sick to see a doctor right away and mention the exposure. The seasonal flu shot does not protect against bird flu.
Sources: East Bay Regional Park District, San Francisco Chronicle, Alameda County Health.