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. On Wednesday, UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis researchers said seven pups have tested positive so far. They say several more show signs of illness. They call it the first detected outbreak in marine mammals in California. Experts say the global H5N1 wave has killed huge numbers of domestic birds and wildlife. It has also hit seals and sea lions hard in other countries. Officials say the risk to humans remains low, but people should stay back from the seals and keep pets away from the animals.
