RICHMOND - The James River near the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and part of the Rappahannock River are closed to shellfish harvesting, the Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday.
The Rappahannock River will be closed down to a line extending from Monaskon on the north shore to Stove Point on the south shore.
The ban involves bivalve mollusks including oysters and clams.
Officials say runoff from heavy rainfall in the western part of the state may have washed animal waste and human sewage into the rivers, creating a health hazard for people.
Ingesting shellfish taken from the closed areas at this time could cause gastrointestinal illnesses including norovirus, hepatitis A and shigellosis.
It's unclear how soon the area will reopen for harvesting.
Crabbing and fishing are okay.
Health officials also said Tuesday that the waters of the upper reaches of Ragged Island Creek near the Carrollton community of Isle of Wight County are closed to shellfish harvesting in response to a sewage bypass further upstream
This closure took effect January 25 and will remain active through February 15.
