Researchers have found avian flu in elephant seal pups at California’s Año Nuevo State Park, and officials have stopped seal-watching tours to help limit the spread of the virus.
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Tony Gonzales’ aide amid disputed affair claims‘I don’t think I can handle it’: Families leave Judson ISD board meeting in tears after school closures announcedNeighbor calls for changes at NE Bexar County intersection where crash led to woman’s miscarriageOff-duty SAPD sergeant put coach in headlock, fought parents after ejection from youth basketball game, footage shows Read full article: Off-duty SAPD sergeant put coach in headlock, fought parents after ejection from youth basketball game, footage showsFILE - An elephant seal pup, right, rests next to female elephant seals on a beach at Ao Nuevo State Park, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Pescadero, Calif. FILE - People watch as elephant seals rest on a beach at Ao Nuevo State Park, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Pescadero, Calif. FILE - A female elephant seal watches visitors on a tour of Ao Nuevo State Park, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Pescadero, Calif. FILE - Elephant seals rest on a beach at Ao Nuevo State Park, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Pescadero, Calif. FILE - Red Star chickens feed in their coop, Jan. 10, 2023, at Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview, Ill.FILE - An elephant seal pup, right, rests next to female elephant seals on a beach at Ao Nuevo State Park, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Pescadero, Calif. Researchers say seven seal pups have tested positive for an avian flu virus at California’s Año Nuevo State Park and several more are showing signs of the illness. The outbreak has prompted park officials to cancel the park'sResearchers with University of California-Santa Cruz and University of California-Davis made the announcement Wednesday, calling it the first detected outbreak of the virus among marine mammals in California.that began in 2020 has led to the deaths of millions of domesticated birds and spread to wildlife around the world, andto the disease. The virus has led to the deaths of thousands of sea lions in Chile and Peru, thousands of elephant seals in Argentina, and hundreds of seals in New England in recent years. The virus is considered to be a low risk to humans, but officials said people should avoid approaching the seals and keep pets away from the animals. Thousands of elephant seals come to Año Nuevo State Park, about 90 minutes south of San Francisco, every winter to fight, mate and give birth. The annual spectacle draws tourists and wildlife watchers eager to see the largest seals on the planet, some watching from public viewing areas and others signing up for docent-led guided walks through the breeding grounds, known as rookeries. But for now, the viewing area is closed, and tours at Año Nuevo have been canceled “out of an abundance of caution,” said Jordan Burgess, the deputy district superintendent of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Officials hope the move will help prevent any spread of the disease that might be caused by people tracking through the areas where the elephant seals are living, she said. “We're definitely not panicking about human exposure at this point,” but rather trying to ensure the health of the seals and people in general, Burgess said. Christine Johnson, the director of the Institute for Pandemic Insights at UC Davis' Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, said the outbreak was spotted quickly because researchers have been on high alert in recent years, watching for any sign of the arrival of the disease. After sick and dead animals were spotted on Feb. 19 and 20, researchers collected samples for testing at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. The screening showed the animals were infected with HPAI H5N1 virus.The university researchers are working with state and federal wildlife managers and The West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network to monitor the animals. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Judge suspended, program defended: the growing controversy around Reflejo CourtA deadly hit-and-run case from 2022 is finally having its day in court.Texas’ 23rd Congressional District heads to a high-stakes primary as Tony Gonzales faces controversySan Antonio mayor issues public apology over ‘verbally abusive’ incidentUniversity Health partners with Bexar County for month-long colon cancer awareness event3.1-magnitude earthquake recorded in Karnes County, USGS saysHere's how much you can expect to pay for a World Cup ticketCommunity members pack meeting as Judson ISD weighs closing 3 elementary schoolsMother released on bond after arrest for telling child to walk to school 19 miles away30 students disciplined at East Central High School after anti-ICE walkout
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