Bird Flu Confirmed in Two Geese at Alameda’s Crown Memorial State Beach; Visitors Urged to Avoid Contact

ALAMEDA — October 26, 2026. Officials have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) in Canada geese collected at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach near Crab Cove, the East Bay Regional Park District announced on Friday, October 23.

Alameda County Vector Control collected the birds on October 8 and October 12. The park district says people should recognize that infected birds can also be found at other locations throughout the East Bay. The report does not specify how many other birds have been tested, and officials have not announced a closure of Crown Beach in connection with the finding.

What park visitors should do

The agency recommends that people avoid touching wild birds, remain at least 50 feet from a dead bird, and keep children and dogs away from birds, carcasses and droppings. Visitors should not attempt to collect a carcass or move a sick bird themselves.

Report sick or dead birds with a precise location to Alameda County Vector Control at 510-567-6800. For areas of Contra Costa County, the East Bay Regional Park District provides 925-685-9301. A photograph or map location may help officials investigate, but visitors should not approach a bird to obtain one.

What about risk to people?

Public health authorities describe the risk to the general population as low, although infection can occur after close or prolonged exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. The park district is coordinating monitoring with county public health, California wildlife agencies and the City of Alameda. This is a wildlife detection, not a report of confirmed human transmission at the beach.

Primary source: East Bay Regional Park District, October 23, 2026. For official human health guidance, see CDC bird flu information.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Alameda News grow Help strengthen reporting on Alameda: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Alameda News

Choose how to support Alameda News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Alameda News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Alameda News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.