RICHMOND, Va. – Effective October 9, out of an abundance of caution and in conformance with recommendations from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that the waters in the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland County are closed to the harvesting of oysters and clams due to a link to a Salmonella outbreak in Pennsylvania.
VDH was recently notified of a Salmonella outbreak in Pennsylvania that has been epidemiologically linked to shellfish harvested from this area. VDH is currently conducting testing of shellfish in the implicated area.
The temporary emergency closure is effective October 9 through November 7. The affected shellfish are bivalve mollusks, including oysters and clams, but not crabs or finfish.
The closure of the Little Wicomico River to shellfish harvesting has no impact on drinking water.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) also announced that a portion of Lower Machodoc Creek in Westmoreland County is closed to shellfish harvesting due to a sewage release.
These waters may be contaminated with pollutants such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The temporary emergency closure is set to be effective from October 9 through October 29.
Shellfish taken from the area affected by the emergency closure are unacceptable for consumption. Eating shellfish taken from the closed areas at this time could cause gastrointestinal illnesses including Norovirus, Hepatitis A and Shigellosis. The affected shellfish are filter-feeding bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams but not crabs or finfish.
VDH urges the public to rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles to minimize exposure to contaminants.
For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations.
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