CDPH Media Release: CDPH Urges Public to Avoid Sick or Dead Marine Mammals and Birds Along California Coast - March 6, 2026

Bird flu detected in elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park; risk to public remains very low

but officials urge caution

What You Need to Know: H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed for the first time in northern elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park​ in San Mateo County. While the risk to the general public remains very low and there is no evidence of seal-to-human transmission, CDPH urges people to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, including dead birds, to limit the potential transmission of bird flu to humans. Local, state, federal and academic partners continue to monitor and test wildlife to understand the scope of the incident.

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging the public to avoid contact with dead or distressed marine mammals and wild birds along the California coast after H5N1 bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), was confirmed in weaned northern elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County. Wildlife workers are closely monitoring nearby beaches in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties and conducting additional surveillance from Sonoma to San Luis Obispo County to better understand the possible spread of this disease. ​

These findings represent the first documented cases of bird flu in northern elephant seals and the first detection of the virus in any marine mammal in California. As a precaution, California State Parks has closed key areas and cancelled public tours at Año Nuevo State Park for the remainder of the season to protect the animals and minimize the potential spread of disease.

"While the detection of bird flu in these young seals is concerning, it also shows that our surveillance systems are functioning as intended," said Dr. Erica Pan, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. "The risk to the general public remains very low, but Californians can protect themselves and their pets by avoiding contact with sick or dead marine mammals or birds, keeping pets on a leash near beaches, and respecting area closures. CDPH will continue to work closely with local, state, federal and academic partners to monitor this situation, support safety for workers who may be exposed, and provide updates as more information becomes available."

What Californians Can Do: Avoid Contact with Wildlife

Bird flu is a disease that has the potential to spread between animals and people, including pets. Although the risk of infection to the general public remains very low and there is no evidence of seal-to-human transmission, beachgoers should not touch live or dead marine mammals or birds or allow pets to approach these wild animals.

CDPH guidance for the public:

CDPH recommendations for wildlife workers:

Bird flu infections in people are rare, but infection can occur if the virus enters a person's eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled during close unprotected contact with infected animals or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Pets such as dogs and cats may also be at risk of illness if they interact with infected wildlife.

What CDPH is Doing: ​

CDPH is supporting and advising local health departments with monitoring exposed personnel, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing when needed, and ensuring public health and wildlife safety. Surveillance of wildlife in coastal areas has increased, and CDPH continues to monitor statewide influenza activity for any signs of bird flu in humans.

Incident Timeline

Initial signs of illness were observed in seal pups on February 19-20, when researchers noted weakness, tremors, seizures, abnormal neurological behavior and sudden death in some animals. Samples collected from sick and deceased pups tested positive for influenza A and were subsequently confirmed as H5N1 by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

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