SHINE — Recreational oyster harvesting has been closed south of the Hood Canal Bridge because of several recorded cases of vibriosis, an intestinal disease resulting from the ingestion of tainted oysters.
Areas affected include Hood Canal, Dabob Bay and Quilcene Bay, the state Department of Health said Monday.
The closures will last for at least the balance of September.
Recreational beaches affected are Triton Cove State Park and tidelands, Duckabush River tidelands, Dosewallips State Park, Quilcene Bay tidelands, Broad Spit tidelands, Toandos Peninsula State Park, Point Whitney tidelands, Seal Rock Campground and Hicks County Park.
The closure involves oysters only and will continue until Oct. 1, the Health Department said.
Vibriosis is not fatal, but causes a series of flulike symptoms that can take effect two to 48 hours after eating the contaminated shellfish.
And like the flu, the symptoms can last from two to seven days, a Health Department spokesman said.
Meanwhile, a red tide shellfish closure is still in effect at Port Hadlock and Mats Mats Bay, but it was lifted in Discovery Bay on Monday, the Department of Health said.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning levels have dropped below the detectable level for two consecutive test periods in Discovery Bay, health officials said.
More information about remaining beach closures is available by phoning Jefferson County Public Health at 360-385-9444.
