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CT DPH Confirms First Case of Clade I Mpox

May 14, 2026 by Uncas Health District

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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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Detected in New London County

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025 by Uncas Health District

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) advises that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or bird flu, was confirmed in a backyard flock in New London County on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The backyard flock, consisting of chickens, ducks, and peacocks, were family pets, not commercial poultry, and had close contact with wild waterfowl in a nearby pond.

Samples were sent to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) for testing. The results from CVMDL were then confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. H5N1 is highly contagious among domestic poultry, and at this time, there is no effective treatment or approved vaccine for the virus in poultry. The infected flock has been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Collaboration between state and federal partners is essential in preventing the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry and safeguarding the health of our farmworkers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Through a united approach, we are able to swiftly identify and respond to protect our food supply and ensure the health of our communities.”

All poultry owners and producers are advised to enhance biosecurity protocols to protect their backyard and commercial poultry flocks against H5N1.

“Biosecurity is the best defense for a flock owner to protect their birds from disease,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Thamus Morgan, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. “This should be top of mind for commercial and backyard hobby owners – we must all work together – to reduce the risk.”

Biosecurity Tips

Poultry biosecurity materials and checklists are on the USDA’s Defend the Flock website. Best practices include:

Keep wild birds and rodents out of poultry houses and coops.
Don’t let poultry have contact with migratory waterfowl or other wild birds.
Wash hands and boots before and after entering the poultry area.
Buy birds from reputable sources to receive healthy birds.
Restrict traffic onto and off your property.
Have a written biosecurity plan in place.

Signs of H5N1 infection include a sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, lack of energy, poor appetite, drop in egg production, swelling around the eyes, neck, and head, and purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs.

Flock owners are encouraged to report anything unusual, incredibly sick, or dead birds to CT DoAg at 860-713-2505 or [email protected] or the USDA at 866-536-7593.

Human Risk Remains Low

No person-to-person spread of H5N1 has been detected to date, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to assess the risk to the general public as low. Residents are reminded that properly handling and cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F kills bacteria and viruses. No H5N1 virus detections in Connecticut have occurred to date in people, livestock, or other domestic animals. However, H5N1 continues to be detected sporadically in wild birds. Surveillance for cases in humans and animals is ongoing throughout the state.

“The current risk of infection from H5N1 to residents of Connecticut remains low. While we have no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time, we need to remain vigilant,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “The CDC is currently monitoring numerous H5N1 cases throughout the country and tracking the spread of the virus in states where it has been identified in people or animals.

Read the DoAg Press Release Here

DMHAS, DPH Launch Toolkit for Help Facilities Treat Opioid Use Disorder

January 16, 2025 by Uncas Health District

Person receiving support for opioid use disorder

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) have introduced a new resource to help long-term care facilities (LTCFs) better serve residents with opioid use disorder (OUD). The Strategies for Supporting Residents with Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care toolkit provides a roadmap for delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care to individuals with OUD.

The toolkit focuses on equipping LTCFs with best practices for addressing the unique challenges associated with OUD, including stigma reduction, staff training, harm reduction strategies, and partnerships with community-based resources. Healthcentric Advisors, a nationally recognized non-profit healthcare quality improvement consultancy, has been providing education, technical assistance, and project management services to DMHAS and DPH on the development and implementation of the toolkit over the past year.

“This toolkit gives long-term care providers the tools to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to individuals living with OUD. Integration of behavioral health and long-term care will mitigate stigma and improve health outcomes for individuals living with a substance use disorder,” said DMHAS Commissioner Nancy Navarretta.

“With the opioid crisis impacting more individuals living in long-term care facilities, this toolkit delivers essential guidance to ensure facilities are prepared to support their residents living with OUD,” added DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “By prioritizing person-centered care, we can improve outcomes and foster recovery.”

Upcoming Webinar

DMHAS and DPH will host a webinar on January 22, 2025, to provide an overview of the toolkit and practical tips for implementation. Registration is open at this link.

Toolkit Availability

The Strategies for Supporting Residents with Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care toolkit is available for download at this link. For additional resources, visit the DMHAS or DPH websites.

Additional Resources from Uncas Health District

DPH Stresses Importance of Radon Testing During Winter Months

January 16, 2025 by Uncas Health District

In recognition of National Radon Action Month, which takes place in January, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) urges Connecticut residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. However, experts say smokers exposed to radon do have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer.

A naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium, radon is found in rock, soil, and water. While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil or from well water and become an indoor air health hazard.

“Radon is a silent killer. It is tasteless, odorless, and cannot be seen, leaving people unaware that it could be in their homes. Testing indoor air for radon and reducing elevated levels is important and could save your life or the lives of your loved ones,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD.

The DPH Radon Program recommends that Connecticut residents test the air in their homes every two years. Testing homes for radon is recommended during the winter months and is simple and inexpensive. To support radon awareness, in 2024, DPH provided approximately 2,780 free radon test kits to 36 local health department partners for distribution.

Learn How to Get Your Free Radon Kit from Uncas Health District Here

Test kits can also be purchased from local home improvement or hardware stores or online from the American Lung Association by visiting their Radon Test Kit Store.

The EPA suggests fixing your home if it has high levels of radon gas (4.0 pCi/L or higher) to reduce the risk of lung cancer. If your home has medium levels of radon gas (between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L), you might want to fix this problem to lower your chance of getting lung cancer. Mitigation is easy, effective, and can be relatively inexpensive.

Radon levels can be reduced by hiring nationally certified radon mitigation professionals. For a list of nationally certified radon mitigation specialists or to learn more about radon, please visit www.ct.gov/RadonPros.

Public Water Systems Contacting CT Residents About Service Line Materials

November 14, 2024November 11, 2024 by Uncas Health District

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is notifying Connecticut residents who use public water systems for their drinking water that they will receive a notification from the public water system if their service lines are made of lead, galvanized (coated with a protective layer of zinc), requiring replacement, or are made of an unknown material.

If the service line is not in one of these categories, residents will not receive a notification from their water supplier. The service line is the pipe that carries water from the water supply main in the street to a home and/or building structure.

“I applaud the EPA and public water systems for taking these unprecedented steps to protect our communities from exposure to lead and other dangers in our drinking water,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “These rule changes from the EPA and the funding to implement them are vital to protect the public health of our
communities.”

Public water systems are required to notify all customers with lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown material in their service lines and repeat the notice on an annual basis until the service line has been replaced.

The communication that water companies are sending to their customers includes:

Information about the material used in the water service line
An explanation of the health risks associated with these hazardous materials
Simple steps to reduce exposure
Information on the plan to replace lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown material service lines
Information about opportunities to verify the material of the service line, if the material is unknown

To support communities in identifying and replacing lead and galvanized requiring replacement service lines, public water systems are encouraged to apply for assistance through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Eligible projects include inventorying and replacing service lines from the public water main to customers’ plumbing.

For residents who have received a notification about your service line material, please contact your water company for more information to learn how they can replace or identify the material of your water line and find out how to test your water for lead. For more information about how to protect the rest of your home from lead, please visit
www.leadfreect.org

DPH Stresses Lead Prevention Safety for Children

October 24, 2024October 24, 2024 by Uncas Health District

Oct. 20-26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW). This campaign aims to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state, tribal, and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness and education.

“Lead poisoning is preventable, and there is no safe level of lead for children, so we are asking our health care providers and local health departments to spread information about this year’s theme, ‘Bright futures begin lead-free,’” said Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “A child with lead poisoning may not show any visible signs and may look fine and healthy. This is why it is so important for parents to talk to the child’s health care provider and ask about getting a blood lead test, especially if they have been exposed to lead. Children are required to be tested annually between the ages of 9 months and 35 months as this age group is at the highest risk of exposure to lead hazards and early identification through testing provides them the opportunity to stay healthy.”Commissioner Juthani added that over the summer, DPH launched the Lead Free CT campaign. The goal of the campaign is to protect children from the harmful health impacts of lead and creating a lead-free Connecticut.

While the overall impacts of lead on children in Connecticut continue to decline, there are still steps one can take to be lead safe. The NLPPW campaign is raising awareness in every community so that families can be empowered and take action to reduce lead exposure. Additionally, Connecticut residents are encouraged to contact their local health departments and see if there are any committees they can join to promote the Lead Free CT objectives which include:

Encouraging parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to get a blood lead test for children younger than 6 years and pregnant people who may have been exposed to lead.
Educating homeowners, landlords, and tenants on financial opportunities to help remove lead paint and lead hazards from their homes.
Notifying community members that they should contact their local health department or water company to learn more about testing their water for lead.
Identifying and replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools.
Hiring lead-safe certified professionals to renovate pre-1978 homes.

For more information, please contact your local health department or visit LeadFreeCT.org.

Flu Update: 51 New Cases Reported in First Week of April

April 24, 2024April 10, 2024 by Uncas Health District

2023-24 continues to be a busy flu season, as 51 new influenza cases were identified in the 11 cities and towns of the Uncas Health District, according to April 6, 2024, data from the Connecticut Department of Health. This week’s reported numbers bring the flu season total to 987 cases in the district.

Those aged 18-49 represent the largest group for positive flu cases, comprising 379 of the total cases reported, followed by 5-17-year-olds with 208 cases. It is important to note that influenza cases are only reported if there is a hospitalization or if the positive test comes from a minor.

To help prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses, please remember to:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after being in public places or around sick people.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow to prevent spreading germs.
Stay home if you’re feeling unwell to avoid making others sick.

Stay safe and healthy!

Additional Flu Resources

Flu Update: Busy Flu Season Continues as Nearly 80 New Cases Reported

March 28, 2024March 19, 2024 by Patrick McCormack

In what continues to be one of the busiest flu seasons in recent memory, 79 new influenza cases have been identified in the 11 cities and towns of the Uncas Health District this flu season, according to March 15, 2024, data from the Connecticut Department of Health. This week’s reported numbers bring the flu season total to 811 cases in the district.

Those aged 18-49 years old represent the largest group for positive flu cases, comprising 286 of the total cases reported, followed by 5-17-year-olds with 174 cases. It is important to note that influenza cases are only reported if there is a hospitalization or if the positive test comes from a minor.

Even though spring has sprung, flu season is far from over. It is important to remain cautious, and it’s not too late to receive your flu vaccine. Vaccination is the single most effective way to protect yourself and others from the flu. Talk to your doctor today about getting vaccinated – it’s still your best defense against influenza. Remember to:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after being in public places or around sick people.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow to prevent spreading germs.
Stay home if you’re feeling unwell to avoid making others sick.

Stay safe and healthy!

Additional Flu Resources

Flu Update: 72 Reported Cases in District This Flu Season (Dec. 9)

January 9, 2024December 13, 2023 by Patrick McCormack

72 influenza cases have been identified in the 11 cities and towns of the Uncas Health District this flu season, according to December 9, 2023, data from the Connecticut Department of Health. This week’s reported numbers mark an increase of 18 cases from the reporting period ending December 2, 2023.

It is important to note that influenza cases are only reported if there is a hospitalization or if the positive test comes from a minor.

Flu cases are likely to continue rising throughout the winter months, so it is important to get your flu vaccination if you have not already.

Uncas Health District will be offering a number of Flu Vaccine Clinics throughout December.

Mondays in December (except Dec. 25)

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please call (860) 823-1189 to make an appointment.

Tuesday, December 26 + Thursday, December 28

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Walk-ins accepted. No appointment is necessary.