NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - A portion of the James River and its tributaries in the Newport News area has been declared off-limits to shellfish harvesting.
The Virginia Department of Health announced the closure on Monday because of flooding and contamination from sewage spills caused by heavy rain over the weekend.
The closure involves bivalve mollusks such as oysters and clams but not crabs or fin fish.
State health officials say shellfish taken from the closed areas are unfit for consumption and could cause gastrointestinal illnesses if eaten.
