| PORTIONS OF DELAWARE BAY
CLOSED FOR SHELLFISH HARVEST (02/59) Trenton---The New
Jersey Department of Environmental (DEP) today suspended shellfish harvesting
in New Jersey waters in portions of the Delaware Bay. The suspension resulted
from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services' investigation of
the illness traced to bacteria found in Delaware Bay oysters. Vibrio
parahaemolyticus - Vp - is a naturally occurring bacterium found in coastal waters
and is not related to pollution or human waste. Eating raw oysters, clams or mussels
can cause Vp illness. Symptoms of Vp illness include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramps, and in some cases, fever and chills. The
bacteria thrives under warm temperatures and is linked to raw oysters harvested
and consumed during the summer months. Because of the above average water temperatures
this year, the proliferation of the bacteria is enhanced. The
DEP has an on-going monitoring program for Vp and will lift the harvest suspension
when test results meet the criteria for safe harvest recommended by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration. See attached Order. [Not available
for the Web version of the release.] | 
