January 22, 2022
Media Contact: Lorrie Andrew-Spear, Northern Region PIO, Lorrie.Andrew-Spear@vdh.virginia.gov
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES UPPER MACHODOC CREEK TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health announced today that all of Upper Machodoc Creek in King George County is temporarily closed to shellfish harvesting due to a release of partially treated sewage impacting water quality in the areas. Due to potential microbiological pollution hazards, shellfish taken from areas affected by the emergency closures are currently unacceptable for consumption (eating).
The temporary emergency closure is effective January 22, 2022, and is scheduled to reopen effective February 12, 2022. The Division of Shellfish Safety will monitor the shellfish and water quality during this period to determine if the areas can be reopened sooner.
Maps of the affected areas are posted on the Division of Shellfish Safety’s home page at www.vdh.virginia.gov/Shellfish/. The affected shellfish are bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams, but not crabs or fin fish.
Ingesting (eating) shellfish taken from the closed areas at this time could cause gastrointestinal illnesses including norovirus, hepatitis A and shigellosis.
For more information on shellfish closures, see the frequently asked questions on shellfish condemnations at www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/shellfish-sanitation/frequently-asked-questions/.
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