Malloy: Zika virus cases targeted for monitoring, testing in Connecticut

The state has begun a coordinated, multi- agency response to the Zika virus, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday, which will include mosquito- trapping stations and the ability to do in-state testing for the virus.

To ensure the safety of Connecticut residents, the governor and state agencies are planning for any contingencies that may arise, Malloy’s office said in a news release.

The Department of Public Health, which will take the lead on the response, will be able to test for the virus in Connecticut by the end of February, the news release said.

The department will not have to send samples out of state, which will speed response time.

As testing becomes available at public health, hospital and commercial laboratories and more is learned about transmission and the spectrum of illnesses caused by Zika viruses, testing protocols will be modified.

As of Monday, the state public health commissioner is making Zika a reportable disease in the state.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will be monitoring the mosquito population across the state, with a network of 91 fixed mosquito- trapping stations located in 72 municipalities. Traps will be attended by staff every 10 days at each site, while weekly test results regarding the mosquito population will be reported to the health department, the news release said.

“The more planning and preparation we do now, the more successful we’ll be in our response, if needed, later,” Malloy said in a news release.

The Zika virus is spread to people predominantly through mosquito bites, and travelers to affected regions are at risk of contracting the virus primarily from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are found in tropical climates, the governor’s office said.

While illness is usually mild, and severe cases requiring hospitalization are uncommon, there is a possible link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects.

For this reason, pregnant women in particular are advised to postpone travel to areas affected by Zika virus.

To date, no cases of Zika virus- associated disease have been identified among Connecticut residents and the state does not have the mosquitos that carry the virus.

A second species of mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has been found in the state, however, and has been known to transmit the disease in previous outbreaks.

Health officials said that no locally mosquito-transmitted Zika cases have been reported in the continental United States, but cases have been reported in returning travelers.

However, with the recent outbreaks in the Americas, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase.

These imported cases may result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. However, one in five cases will show no symptoms.

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Infection is thought to provide lifelong immunity.

Connecticut’s Zika response plan focuses on surveillance, prevention and mosquito management activities, the governor’s office said. It will also include:

Public education on how to prevent becoming infected with Zika virus.

Clinician outreach regarding what is known about the health consequences of infection.

Laboratory testing of pregnant women who have travelled to areas where Zika virus is circulating is currently available by the Federal Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and will become available at the State Public Health Laboratory.

Surveillance for Zika virus associated illnesses in humans including birth defects.

Mosquito surveillance for the presence of Aedes albopictus.

Mosquito management focused on source reduction especially in communities where Aedes albopictus has been identified during prior mosquito seasons.

The state health department reminds pregnant women in any trimester to consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

Pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

Travelers can protect themselves from this and other mosquito borne disease by taking simple steps to prevent bites.

When traveling to countries 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.

For information, visit www. ct.gov/dph/zika.