Beaches across Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware have been closed to swimmers after an unsettling discovery of hypodermic needles, tampon applicators, and other medical waste washed up on the shores over the weekend. This prompted authorities to take immediate action and issue alerts, urging beachgoers to stay out of the water until further notice.

The closures stretch nearly 50 miles along the coastal areas, from Fenwick Island in Delaware to Chincoteague Island in Virginia. popular vacation spots such as Assateague Island, Ocean City in Maryland, and Dewey Beach in Delaware were among the affected areas. The National Park Service office at Assateague Island National Seashore addressed the issue on their Facebook page, stating that they were not speculating about the source of the medical waste.

Aside from used hypodermic needles, authorities discovered used tampon applicators, colored needle caps, and cigarillo cigar tips among the debris. Park officials at Assateague reported that their patrols came across the garbage early Sunday morning, after high tide. They found nearly 50 needles and enough waste to fill a five-gallon bucket. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or incidents involving swimmers and the objects.

The medical waste began appearing on Sunday morning, leaving officials unsure of how long the beach closures will remain in effect. Authorities not only urged caution to swimmers but also imposed restrictions on water activities, including swimming, wading, and surfing. Joe Theobald, the director of Emergency Services in Ocean City, Maryland, advised beachgoers to wear shoes on the beach and avoid the ocean until the situation is resolved.

This is not the first time such hazardous materials have been scattered along the Eastern Seaboard. In 2021, floodwaters in New York City led to sewage releases in New York Harbor, resulting in hundreds of used syringes washing up along the Jersey Shore. In that case, authorities suspected that diabetics had disposed of the needles in toilets. Additionally, back in 1987, a large stretch of New Jersey shoreline was shut down due to hospital waste and raw garbage mysteriously appearing on its beaches, with officials believing it to be illegally dumped.

As of now, it remains unclear how long the beaches will remain closed. Swimmers are advised to stay away from the shorelines until further updates are provided. Authorities are working diligently to address the issue and ensure the safety of beachgoers along the affected areas in the Mid-Atlantic states.