CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — Medical waste coming ashore has necessitated a closure of all ocean-facing beaches at Assateague Island National Seashore, according to the national seashore’s Facebook page.
The national seashore said the closures range from Fenwick Island to Chincoteague as a result of the medical waste.
“We currently have no idea where it came from and will not be speculating about a source,” the national seashore stated regarding the medical waste. “Health authorities will be investigating.”
The debris is trash with a large component of medical waste including syringes and needles, the national seashore said. They believe it began coming ashore Sunday morning.
The North End (all of the island north of Assateague State Park) is closed to all visitor access. Assateague Island State Park Beach is closed to swimming and wading, as are all oceanside beaches in Assateague Island State Park.
Campgrounds, trails, boardwalks, visitor centers, and the like remain open, as do all water activities on the bay side.