Government & Politics
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State Announces First Case of CT Resident Getting Zika in Continental U.S.

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The State Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the first case of Zika virus in Connecticut acquired in the continental United States. The patient had recently traveled to Florida. At this time, DPH reminds residents, particularly pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, to avoid travel to regions that have been affected by Zika virus. Travelers to these areas should protect themselves from the virus by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. When traveling to areas where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes have been reported, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.

Government & Politics
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Zika Virus: What Should Concern You — and What Shouldn’t

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If you’re a woman or a couple trying to get pregnant, you should avoid visiting the Caribbean, Latin America and perhaps some other tropical places for a while, and there are a few other things you could do to avoid the Zika virus. And if you’re a woman who has a chance of becoming pregnant, avoid having sex with men who have been to those areas in the previous six months or so, advise two Darien Health Department officials who recently lent their expertise to the public in a presentation at Darien Library. (You can see a video of the discussion here and at the bottom of this article.)

For a woman who’s been to the Caribbean, Latin America or Tropics, wait a month before having sex with the possibility of getting pregnant, advised Dr. Caleb Moore, a physician in Stamford who is also the Health Department’s medical advisor. The reason this time period is shorter than for men: The virus, even if a woman does have it, doesn’t stay in women longer than that. But it can stay in different types of bodily fluids for different periods of time, and it might stay as long as six months in sperm, Moore said.

Zika
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Public Presentation about Zika by Darien Health Department

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Reports of travel-associated Zika virus disease cases continue to increase across mainland US. Most days, you can’t turn on the news without hearing about this mosquito-borne disease. In an effort to answer questions and provide up to the minute information to the public, the Darien Library will sponsor a “Zika Virus Public Forum” beginning at 7 p.m. on March 31 featuring presentations by David Knauf, Darien director of health, and Caleb Moore, MD, the Health Department’s medical advisor. David Knauf and Caleb Moore have been serving the town in their current capacities since 2008. The mission of the Health Department is to prevent disease by promoting a safe community and healthy environment to all residents and visitors, while upholding public health based regulations which protect the quality of life.

Healthy Living
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Zika Virus Information Meeting March 31 at Darien Library

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Learn more about the Zika Virus from the town health director and a doctor who is medical advisor for the Darien Health Department at a Darien Library forum, 7 p.m., Thursday, March 31. Here’s an announcement from the Darien Health Department about the forum:

Reports of travel-associated Zika virus disease cases continue to increase across mainland US. As of March 8, 2016, there have been 157 cases reported in Puerto Rico, with 9 hospitalizations. Most days, you can’t turn on the news without hearing about this mosquito-borne disease. In an effort to answer questions and provide up to the minute information to the public, the Darien Library will sponsor a “Zika Virus Public Forum” beginning at 7:00 on March 31st featuring presentations by David Knauf, Darien Director of Health, and Caleb Moore, MD, the Health Department’s Medical Advisor.

Healthy Living
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State Health Department Issues Advice on Avoiding Zika Virus

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An announcement from the Connecticut Department of Health:

State health officials continue to provide information regarding Zika virus as more is learned about transmission and prevention of infections. Recent reports from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that sexual transmission from men to women may be more common than was known before the recent outbreak in the Americas. Zika virus is spread to people primarily through mosquito bites. While illness is usually mild, the possible link with birth defects and miscarriages makes prevention of infection among pregnant women essential. To avoid infections in pregnant women recommendations include:

postponing travel to areas where Zika virus is circulating among mosquitoes,
adopting precautions to avoid mosquito bites if travel is necessary,
men who travel to endemic areas should abstain from sexual activity with a pregnant partner, or use condoms, for the duration of the pregnancy.

Government & Politics
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Traveling to the Tropics? Darien Health Dept Has Information on Zika Virus

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Darien Health Department recently posted this information on the town government website about the Zika virus, which isn’t in the United States but can be brought here by travelers to more tropical regions. Currently there’s a Zika virus outbreak in Brazil. You could get infected mosquitos, although infection apparently can take place from a mother to a newborn either during pregnancy or at delivery. Those infected may not know they have it before they pass it along. It can lead to pregnant women giving birth to babies with microcephaly — unusually small skulls.