Two Canada geese in Alameda have tested positive for bird flu, according to city officials.
In a statement Friday, health officials said the risk to the general public remains low. However, people can become infected through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
The geese were collected on Oct. 2 and Oct. 8 from the Crab Cove area of Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, according to the Alameda County Vector Control.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a virus that primarily affects birds, including ducks and geese. The Centers for Disease Control reports that signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans vary. Eye redness has been the predominant symptom among recent U.S. cases, but respiratory symptoms and fever were also reported. Bird flu in humans usually lasts a few days to less than two weeks.
Alameda is located along the Pacific Flyway, which is a major migration route for birds traveling along the West Coast. The city states that Canada geese live in the Bay Area year-round and are protected. People are discouraged from handling, feeding or relocating them.
The city is working with the county’s Public Health, Vector Control, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and East Bay Regional Park District to keep residents informed and share safety precautions, which include:
Stay at least 50 feet away from sick or dead birds
Avoid feeding, touching, rescuing or transporting birds
Avoid touching bird feces and other potentially contaminated materials with bare hands
Wash hands with soap and water after possible contact with birds, bird droppings, or contaminated surfaces
Report sick or dead birds to Alameda County Vector Control at (510) 567-6800