The Louisiana Department of Health will close molluscan shellfish growing areas 26, 27 and 28, located in Vermillion and Iberia Parishes, effective at sunset on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. This is a precautionary closure due to potential heightened bacteria levels from recent flooding. 

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry signed the closure order. The areas will remain closed to the harvest of all molluscan shellfish until it is determined the environmental conditions are within the requirements specified by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

LDH has notified local oyster harvesters that work the affected area, as well as the Louisiana Oyster Task Force and the FDA.

An area map can be found here.