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Oysters Recalled after South Carolina Sewage Spill

Health officials in South Carolina have ordered a recall of oysters harvested where a sewage spill occurred last month.
Colleen Burge counts oysters on an oyster aquaculture lease in California. Collin Closek, CC BY-ND

Charleston, SC (Associated Press) - Health officials in South Carolina have ordered a recall of oysters harvested where a sewage spill occurred last month.

Media outlets reported the Department of Health and Environmental Control estimates about 2.4 million gallons (9 million liters) of raw sewage flowed into marsh near the Stono River near Charleston because of a broken pipe in the sewer system in the town of Hollywood.

Oysters being recalled were harvested from parts of Charleston Harbor, South to the North Edisto River between February 19 and February 28.

The Charleston Water System processes wastewater from Hollywood and said the leak could have started as early as Jan. 4.

Shellfish beds were closed Tuesday.

DHEC said Thursday the wastewater might contain viruses that can be transferred to people if they eat contaminated oysters.

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