October 9, 2026
Media Contact: Stephanie Hudson, Stephanie.Hudson@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health Closes Little Wicomico River to Shellfish Harvesting
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.
For more information on shellfish closures, visit the Division of Shellfish Safety webpage.
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