State Reopens Final Oyster Bed Closed due to Norovirus

The Department of Health will reopen oyster Harvest Area 13 at sunrise, Wednesday, April 21, 2010. LDH closed the area on March 30, 2010, due to a norovirus outbreak linked to oysters from the areas.

Area 13 is located in Lafourche and Jefferson parish waters.  Testing by LDH has determined molluscan shellfish growing waters in harvest area 13 are suitable for harvesting of oysters. 

LDH will continue to monitor conditions in the shellfish growing areas. Water standards for oyster harvesting areas are set by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference and can be found at www.issc.org.  LDH has the authority to open and close these waters under LSA-R.S. 40:5,3.

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.

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