The Louisiana Department of Health announced today the reopening of oyster harvesting Area 19 after working with officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other state and federal partners.
Area 19, which is located west of the Mississippi River in Terrebonne Parish, was partially closed July 1, 2010 in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf.
LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry signed the order today to reopen area 19 today effective one half hour prior to official sunrise October 15.
Areas 8, 11, 12, 13 and 23 remain closed. In addition, areas 9, 10 and 21 remain partially closed.
The public is encouraged to call a toll-free hotline, 1-800-256-2775, to report the presence of oil or an oil sheen.
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. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH¡¯s blog at www.myhealthla.org, Twitter at http://twitter.com/La_Health_Dept and search for the Louisiana Department of Health on Facebook.
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