Month: May 2026

CT DPH Confirms First Case of Clade I Mpox

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Gloved hands handling a blood sample tube over a rack of labeled vials in a lab setting

Commissioner Juthani urges at-risk population to seek vaccination ahead of the summer travel season

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has identified the first case of clade I mpox in Connecticut through testing performed at the State Public Health Laboratory. The person with this case recently traveled to Western Europe, where clade I mpox is currently spreading. This case does not pose a risk to the general public.

Mpox is still spreading worldwide, including in the United States. It continues to affect gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men more than other groups. DPH urges people who may be at risk to get fully vaccinated with the JYNNEOS vaccine.

"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. "The vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."

There are two types of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II. Clade II has been spreading in the U.S. and around the world since a large outbreak in 2022. Clade I has mainly caused outbreaks in Central and Eastern Africa and has recently been found in Western Europe. Since November 2024, more than 20 clade I mpox cases have been reported in the U.S. in people who traveled to affected areas or had close contact with someone who did.

Both types spread and cause illness in the same ways and can be prevented in the same ways. Mpox spreads mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact with the rash. The rash can look like pimples or blisters. It forms a scab before healing over several weeks. Some people also get fever, chills, headache, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes. A person with mpox can spread the virus for up to four days before symptoms appear and until the rash has fully healed and new skin has formed.

If you develop symptoms that might be mpox, contact your healthcare provider right away. Testing is available through the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory and other labs. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself. DPH strongly recommends that people at risk get both doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Vaccines are available at pharmacies and clinics across the state. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you should get vaccinated.

For more information about mpox or to find a vaccination site, visit the DPH website.

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Cervical Cancer Prevention: Pap Tests, HPV Testing, and Vaccination

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Woman holding teal awareness ribbon

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Regular screening can find cell changes before they become cancer, and HPV vaccination can help prevent the infections that cause most cervical cancers. Together, these tools give women powerful protection at different stages of life.

Most cervical cancers are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is very common, and in many cases, the body clears the infection on its own. When a high-risk HPV infection does not go away, it can lead to changes in cervical cells over time. If those changes are not found and treated, they may eventually develop into cervical cancer.

Prevention Starts with Understanding HPV

HPV is a group of viruses spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Some types of HPV are considered low-risk and can cause genital warts. Other types are high-risk because they are linked to cancer, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and some throat cancers. The National Cancer Institute notes that HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers, while other high-risk HPV types also contribute to cervical cancer risk.

Because HPV often has no symptoms, someone can have it without knowing. That is why routine screening matters. Cervical cancer prevention is not just about checking for cancer — it is about finding HPV or abnormal cervical cell changes early enough to prevent cancer from developing.

Pap Tests and HPV Tests: What’s the Difference?

The two main screening tools for cervical cancer are the Pap test and the HPV test. A Pap test, sometimes called a Pap smear, looks for abnormal or precancerous cell changes on the cervix. An HPV test looks for the virus that can cause those cell changes. Both tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.

For women ages 21 to 29, cervical cancer screening is generally done with a Pap test every three years if results are normal. HPV testing is not typically recommended as routine co-testing for women younger than 30. For women ages 30 to 65, current federal women’s preventive services guidance recommends primary high-risk HPV testing every five years as the preferred option, or Pap and HPV co-testing every five years. If HPV testing is unavailable, Pap testing alone every 3 years remains an option.

A common misconception is that women need a Pap test every year. For most women at average risk, annual Pap testing is not recommended. However, this does not mean skipping annual wellness visits. A yearly checkup is still important for reviewing overall health, vaccines, menstrual or menopause symptoms, sexual health, contraception, family history, and other preventive care needs.

What Happens if a Result Is Abnormal?

An abnormal Pap or HPV test result does not usually mean cancer. It often means that HPV or cervical cell changes were found and that more follow-up is needed. Depending on the result, a provider may recommend repeat testing, HPV genotyping, a closer examination of the cervix called colposcopy, or a biopsy. The CDC emphasizes that when abnormal or precancerous cells are found, appropriate follow-up and treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing in most cases.

The most important step after an abnormal result is to avoid delaying follow-up. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly, and timely evaluation gives providers the best opportunity to monitor or treat cell changes before they become serious.

HPV Vaccination: Cancer Prevention Before Exposure

HPV vaccination is another major tool in cervical cancer prevention. The CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination at ages 11 or 12, though vaccination can begin as early as age 9. Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not adequately vaccinated earlier.

Some adults aged 27 through 45 may also choose to get the HPV vaccine after talking with a health care provider. The vaccine offers less benefit for many adults in this age range because they may have already been exposed to HPV, but it can still be helpful for some people, depending on their risk for new HPV infection.

The HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections, but it does not treat existing HPV infections or cervical cell changes. That is why the vaccine works best when given before exposure to HPV, and why women who have been vaccinated still need cervical cancer screening according to their age and health history.

HPV vaccination is not only for girls. Vaccinating boys and young men also helps prevent HPV-related cancers, including anal, penile, and some throat cancers, and helps reduce the spread of HPV overall.

Screening After Age 65

Many women can stop routine cervical cancer screening after age 65 if they have had adequate normal screening results and do not have a history of cervical precancer or cervical cancer. The CDC notes that a provider may recommend stopping screening after age 65 if a woman has had three normal Pap tests or two normal HPV tests in the past 10 years, has no history of cervical precancer, or has had the cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons.

Women with a history of cervical cancer, high-grade precancerous changes, HIV, a weakened immune system, or certain other risk factors may need a different screening schedule. Anyone unsure about their screening history or hysterectomy status should ask a health care provider for recommendations.

A Newer Option: Self-Collected HPV Testing

Screening options are continuing to expand. In 2026, HRSA announced updated women’s preventive services guidelines that include self-collected high-risk HPV testing as an appropriate option for average-risk women ages 30 to 65. This option may help reduce barriers for women who avoid or delay screening because of discomfort, trauma history, transportation challenges, time constraints, or limited access to care.

Self-collection is not a replacement for follow-up care. If a self-collected HPV test is positive, additional testing may be needed to complete the screening process, such as cytology, colposcopy, biopsy, or other evaluation, depending on the result.

Reducing Risk Beyond Screening and Vaccination

Pap tests, HPV testing, and vaccination are the most important prevention tools, but other choices can also support cervical health. Not smoking is important because tobacco use increases cervical cancer risk and can make it harder for the immune system to fight HPV. Condoms can lower the risk of HPV transmission, though they do not eliminate the risk completely because HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom.

Women should also talk with a provider about any personal risk factors that may affect screening recommendations, including HIV, immunosuppressant medications, prior abnormal Pap or HPV results, a history of cervical precancer, or exposure to DES before birth.

The Bottom Line

Cervical cancer prevention is a success story in public health because it gives women multiple ways to lower their risk. HPV vaccination helps prevent the infections that cause most cervical cancers. Pap and HPV testing can find early warning signs before cancer develops. Follow-up care can treat abnormal changes before they become life-threatening.

The best prevention plan is simple: get vaccinated when recommended, follow the cervical cancer screening schedule that is right for your age and health history, and do not delay follow-up if a test result is abnormal. Regular preventive care gives women the strongest chance to stay healthy and catch concerns early.

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A Women’s Health Preventive Care Checklist for Every Stage of Life

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Smiling woman with yoga ball

Preventive care is one of the most important tools for staying healthy as we age. While some screenings are specific to women—such as mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and bone density testing—many recommended health checks apply to everyone, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colorectal cancer screening, vaccines, and mental health care.

This checklist is a general guide for adults at average risk. Your personal recommendations may be different based on family history, symptoms, pregnancy history, menopause, smoking history, medical conditions, medications, or prior test results. A yearly wellness visit is a good time to review what screenings, vaccines, and lifestyle steps are right for you.

In Your 20s and 30s: Build the Foundation

Preventive health starts well before midlife. During these years, regular checkups help establish baselines for blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, reproductive and mental health, and lifestyle habits.

Women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21, unless their health care provider recommends otherwise based on their personal medical history. For people ages 21 to 29, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a Pap test every 3 years. For ages 30 to 65, screening options include a Pap test every 3 years, a high-risk HPV test every 5 years, or co-testing with both Pap and HPV every 5 years.

Sexual health is also part of preventive care. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Sexually active women younger than 25 should also be tested yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Women 25 and older may need annual testing depending on risk factors such as new or multiple partners.

Vaccines matter in adulthood, too. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination routinely at ages 11–12, catch-up vaccination through age 26, and shared decision-making for some adults ages 27–45 who were not previously vaccinated. Adults should also stay current with recommended vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, Tdap/Td, hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and others, based on age, health status, pregnancy, travel, work, or other risk factors.

Healthy habits built early pay off later. Aim for regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, tobacco avoidance, limited alcohol, sun protection, and routine dental and vision care. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activity.

In Your 40s: Add Cancer and Heart Health Conversations

Your 40s are an important time to take a closer look at cancer prevention, heart health, metabolism, and bone health — especially as perimenopause may begin for some women.

Breast cancer screening generally begins at age 40 for women at average risk. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammograms every other year from ages 40 through 74. Women with a strong family history, known genetic risk, prior chest radiation, dense breasts, or previous breast concerns should talk with a health care provider about whether earlier or more frequent screening is appropriate.

Heart health should also be a priority. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, body weight, smoking, diet, physical activity, and sleep are all important factors to review during preventive visits. After age 40, clinicians often use risk calculators to estimate the chance of heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes screening becomes especially important in midlife. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, with referral to effective preventive interventions when prediabetes is found.

This is also a good decade to discuss menstrual changes, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, urinary symptoms, sexual health, and family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, colorectal, or heart disease.

In Your 50s: Prioritize Colorectal, Breast, Bone, and Menopause Health

At age 45, colorectal cancer screening becomes a routine recommendation for adults at average risk. Screening options may include stool-based tests, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or CT colonography. Colonoscopy is one of the best-known options, and if results are normal, it is often repeated every 10 years; however, the right test and timing should be decided with a healthcare provider. Adults ages 45 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer, while screening for those ages 76 to 85 should be individualized.

Mammograms should continue through this decade, generally every other year for average-risk women ages 40 to 74 under U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidance. Cervical cancer screening should also generally continue through age 65 for women who still need this screening, depending on their health history and prior results.

Bone health deserves special attention after menopause, when declining estrogen can accelerate bone loss. Calcium and vitamin D are both important for maintaining strong bones. Not getting enough calcium can cause the body to draw calcium from bones over time, weakening them and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise, strength training, fall prevention, and not smoking also support bone health.

This is also the decade when many women experience menopause. Preventive visits are a good time to talk about hot flashes, sleep, mood, weight changes, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, sexual comfort, cardiovascular risk, and bone density risk.

In Your 60s and Beyond: Focus on Strength, Independence, and Early Detection

Women age 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis with bone density testing, usually with a DXA scan. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 may also need screening if they have risk factors such as low body weight, parental history of hip fracture, smoking, excess alcohol use, or other clinical risks.

Preventive care in this stage should also include fall risk, balance, muscle strength, medications, vision, hearing, dental health, memory concerns, mood, sleep, nutrition, and social connection. For adults 65 and older, regular physical activity should include aerobic exercise, muscle-strengthening activity, and balance activities each week.

Vaccines become increasingly important with age. Depending on age and medical history, adults may need shingles vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, flu vaccination every year, updated COVID-19 vaccination, RSV vaccination, and other vaccines based on individual risk. The CDC adult immunization schedule is updated regularly, so vaccine needs should be reviewed at least once a year.

Some adults may also qualify for lung cancer screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual low-dose CT screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

Preventive Care for Every Age

Some health checks are important throughout adulthood. Blood pressure should be checked regularly, and high readings should be confirmed outside the clinical setting before treatment begins. Depression screening is also recommended for adults, including pregnant and postpartum women and adults age 65 and older, with follow-up evaluation and care when screening is positive.

At every age, ask your health care provider about:

  • Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, and heart health
  • Cervical, breast, colorectal, lung, and skin cancer screening when appropriate
  • Vaccines based on age, pregnancy, health conditions, job, travel, and risk factors
  • Sexual health, HIV/STI testing, and contraception or pregnancy planning when relevant
  • Bone health, especially after menopause
  • Nutrition, including calcium, vitamin D, protein, fiber, and hydration
  • Physical activity, strength training, balance, and fall prevention
  • Tobacco, alcohol, sleep, stress, and mental health
  • Medication review, especially for older adults

Preventive care is not one-size-fits-all. The best checklist is one you review regularly with a trusted health care provider—one that reflects your age, body, family history, lifestyle, and goals for healthy aging.

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Tick Bite Prevention: Repel, Check, Remove

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Group of children hiking through a sunlit forest on a wooden balance trail with backpacks nearby.

As the weather gets warmer and days grow longer, many of us spend more time outdoors — walking, gardening, hiking, camping, attending sports, visiting parks, or simply enjoying the backyard. But warmer weather also means more opportunities for tick exposure. Ticks can be active year-round, but they are most active during the warmer months, especially from April through September. That makes spring, summer, and early fall an important time to build tick prevention into your outdoor routine.

In Connecticut, tick bite prevention is especially important. The Connecticut Department of Public Health notes that several tick species found in the state can spread diseases to people, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis, and tularemia. The best protection is prevention: repel ticks before you go outside, check for ticks when you come back in, and remove attached ticks quickly and properly.

See the Tick Bite Bot — Interactive Tool for Tick Bite Management

Step One: Repel Ticks Before You Go Outside

Tick prevention starts before you head outdoors. Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, but they can also be found in yards and neighborhoods. Activities like gardening, walking the dog, hiking, camping, and playing outside can all bring people into contact with ticks.

Before spending time outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent that is labeled for ticks. The CDC recommends products containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Always follow the product label, and remember that products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should not be used on children under age 3.

The EPA also offers a repellent search tool that allows people to choose products based on whether they need protection from mosquitoes, ticks, or both, and how long they expect to be outdoors. This can be helpful when planning for short walks, full-day hikes, outdoor work, or family events.

Clothing can add another layer of protection. When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tucking pants into socks may not win any fashion awards, but it can help keep ticks on the outside of clothing where they are easier to spot. Light-colored clothing can also make ticks easier to see.

For added protection, the CDC recommends treating boots, clothing, and outdoor gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or purchasing permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin should be used only as directed on the label and should not be applied directly to skin.

Step Two: Check Yourself, Children, Pets, and Gear for Ticks

After spending time outdoors, make tick checks part of your routine—just like washing your hands or putting away outdoor gear. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing, pets, backpacks, coats, and other items, then attach later. The CDC recommends checking pets, clothing, and gear after being outside.

Showering soon after coming indoors can also help. The CDC notes that showering within 2 hours of entering has been shown to reduce the risk of Lyme disease and may help reduce the risk of other tickborne diseases. A shower also provides a good opportunity to do a careful tick check.

When checking for ticks, look carefully at warm, hidden, or hard-to-see areas of the body, including:

  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside the belly button
  • Behind the knees
  • Between the legs
  • Around the waist
  • Along the hairline and scalp

Parents and caregivers should check children closely after outdoor play, especially after time in wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, camps, fields, or backyards near brush. Pets should also be checked, as ticks can attach to them or be carried indoors on their fur.

Clothing matters after outdoor activity, too. If ticks may be on clothing, the CDC recommends tumble-drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing. If clothes need to be washed first, hot water is recommended, as cold or medium-temperature water will not kill ticks.

Step Three: Remove Attached Ticks Quickly and Correctly

If you find a tick attached to your skin, do not panic—but do remove it as soon as possible. The CDC advises removing an attached tick promptly rather than waiting to have a health care provider remove it, because delaying removal can increase the risk of tickborne disease.

To remove a tick safely:

  1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers if available.
  2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
  3. Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
  4. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick’s body.
  5. Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Avoid using petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try to make the tick detach. The CDC warns that these methods may agitate the tick and force infected fluid into the skin.

After removal, dispose of the live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, putting it in alcohol, or flushing it down the toilet. Do not crush a tick with your fingers.

Know When to Call a Health Care Provider About Tick Bites

Not every tick bite leads to illness, but it is important to watch for symptoms in the days and weeks after a bite. The CDC recommends contacting a health care provider if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick. Be sure to tell the provider when the bite occurred and where you may have picked up the tick.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease can appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash. The rash does not always look like a classic “bull’s-eye,” so any expanding rash after a tick bite should be taken seriously.

If symptoms develop, do not wait for tick testing results before seeking care. The CDC notes that tick testing is generally not recommended for treatment decisions because a positive test result does not necessarily indicate infection, and a negative test can provide false reassurance.

Make Tick Prevention a Habit

Tick prevention does not mean staying indoors. It means enjoying the outdoors with a few simple precautions. Before going outside, use repellent and dress with ticks in mind. After coming indoors, check your body, your children, your pets, your clothing, and your gear. If you find a tick attached, remove it quickly and correctly.

As more people head outside to enjoy the warmer weather, a simple “repel, check, remove” routine can help protect individuals and families from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses. A few minutes of prevention can make outdoor activities safer, healthier, and more enjoyable all season long.

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