Authorities have issued warnings for people to avoid entering the ocean at several beaches in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia after medical waste, including hypodermic needles, was discovered washed ashore. The source of the waste is currently under investigation.
On Sunday morning, swimming, wading, and surfing were prohibited at Assateague State Park after Maryland Park Service rangers found hypodermic needles, needle caps, feminine hygiene products, and cigar tips scattered along the beach, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Gregg Bortz. A few more needles were found on Monday, prompting the continuation of the ban on swimming.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or direct encounters with the waste by beachgoers. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to assess when it will be safe to return to the water.
All ocean-facing beaches at Assateague Island National Seashore in both Maryland and Virginia were closed to swimming and wading. Additionally, Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management elevated its state activation level to “partial” in response to the incident.
In Ocean City, Maryland, the beach patrol temporarily banned swimming on Sunday after medical waste was found on the town’s beaches. Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald described the situation as serious and noted that town officials were working with the Worcester County Health Department to trace the source of the waste.
“Until we are confident that the situation is under control, we advise wearing shoes on the beach and staying out of the ocean entirely,” Theobald urged.
By Monday afternoon, Theobald reported that the debris had “significantly decreased,” though the town remained vigilant, especially with high tide cycles approaching Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
In Delaware, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) advised beachgoers to leave the shoreline from the Indian River Inlet to Fenwick Island on Sunday, and recommended avoiding swimming after receiving reports of waste washing up on nearby Maryland beaches. The department confirmed minimal waste on Delaware beaches, including plastic caps and a single needle near Dewey Beach.
“Despite the low level of waste observed, DNREC is treating the situation seriously and advising caution,” the agency said in a statement. While DNREC oversees Delaware’s state park beaches, decisions about municipal beaches are left to local officials.
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Dewey Beach in Delaware also temporarily banned ocean swimming on Sunday. By Monday, town officials were continuing to monitor the situation. Similarly, Fenwick Island officials closed the beach for swimming on Sunday and planned further inspections on Monday and Tuesday before deciding whether to reopen the beach.
