LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ — A stretch of New Jersey beach was closed yesterday after medical waste was found in the water.

Hypodermic needles, most likely flushed into the sewer system by diabetics who inject insulin, washed ashore on Long Beach Island in Ocean County, WCAU-TV in Philadelphia reported.

The closure affects a stretch of about 15 miles.

Long Beach Island Health Director Tim Hilferty said sewer systems in New York Harbor were overflowing after heavy rains in the area last week.