Officials closed multiple beaches along Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia to swimming after they said medical waste washed ashore.
The Assateague Island National Seashore office announced in a Facebook post on Sept. 16 that all north end of Assateague State Park is closed to visitor access, and all oceanside beaches in Assateague Island National Park are closed to swimming and wading. The island runs 37 miles along the coast of Maryland and Virginia.
North Beach, Oceanside Camping Beach, South Beach, the beach on the Oversand Vehicle Area, and Chincoteague Beach, were all closed to swimming and wading, according to the park office.
The post states that the waste found on shore is largely medical, including syringes and needles, and health authorities will investigate it.
“We currently have no idea where it came from and will not be speculating about a source,” the park office said.
Officials added that they do not know how long the clean-up will take, how much more waste is out there, or when it will stop coming ashore.
In an X post on Monday, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management said it raised its state activation level to “partial” to support the incident. The State of Maryland manages two miles of Assateague State Park.
In Ocean City, Maryland, the beach patrol temporarily restricted swimming and urged the public to comply with the ban after emergency services found medical waste on the town’s beaches.
The town released a statement on Facebook from Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald that stressed the seriousness of this situation, given the health concerns. Theobald said town officials, Worcester County Health Department, and other public health authorities will work together to investigate the source of the medical waste.
“Until we are confident that the situation is under control, we recommend wearing shoes on the beach and avoiding the ocean entirely,” Theobald said.
Officials monitored the waste and medical debris washing ashore over the past 24 hours and reported on Monday afternoon the amount of debris has “significantly decreased,” according to Theobald. He said the town will continue to monitor the situation as the next high tide cycle approaches but the ocean remains closed to swimming and surfing.
The closure of beaches extended from Fenwick Island in Delaware to Chincoteague, Virginia. Fenwick Island announced the closure of its beaches after Public Works inspected the location, but they will inspect the beach again late Monday and on Tuesday to determine whether it can be reopened. The town contacted the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and they advised town officials to make decisions on appropriate closures, according to the announcement.
The DNREC confirmed on Facebook Monday there is only minimal waste on Delaware beaches but will continue monitoring the situation and advises caution.