BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Georgia officials will soon close state waters to oyster harvesting for the summer.

The Brunswick News reports (http://bit.ly/JZkI86) that the state Department of Natural Resources will close state waters to oyster harvesting from Friday through Sept. 30.

Officials say the closure is part of a plan to control a naturally occurring bacteria in shellfish which can sicken people who eat raw oysters. Vibrio parahaemolyticus -- or VP -- is found in higher concentrations during warmer months, when water temperatures can reach 81 degrees and higher.

Authorities say the closure is only for oysters, not for other shellfish, because oysters are the only shellfish humans routinely eat raw.