Connecticut

Child confirmed as Connecticut’s first measles case in 4 years

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2025

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Child confirmed as Connecticut’s first measles case in 4 years

Health

The child, who is under the age of 10 and unvaccinated, recently traveled internationally, health officials said.

FILE – A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at the Andrews County Health Department, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. AP Photo/Annie Rice, File

An unvaccinated child in Connecticut has been diagnosed with measles, public health officials confirmed, the state’s first confirmed case of the highly contagious disease since 2021.

The child, who is under the age of 10, lives in Fairfield County, the Connecticut Department of Public Health announced last week. The child had recently travelled internationally before showing symptoms including cough, runny nose, congestion, fever, and eventually a full-body rash.

“The single best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to be vaccinated,” Connecticut DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said in a statement. “One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective, while two doses are about 97 percent effective.”

The United States has seen a record high 1,912 measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, the CDC reported. As of July 7, this year has also reported the most cases in more than 30 years, according to the International Vaccine Access Center.

Earlier this year, West Texas saw a measles outbreak of hundreds of cases, mostly among unvaccinated children who had to be hospitalized. About one in five unvaccinated people diagnosed with measles are hospitalized, Connecticut DPH said, and the disease can be especially dangerous for children.

“We must ensure we continue to protect those who matter most – children and other vulnerable people – from vaccine preventable illnesses through on-time vaccination,” Juthani said.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his overhaul on the childhood vaccine schedule and doubts on COVID vaccine safety, endorsed the measles vaccine after two children died from measles amid the outbreak in Texas.

“The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” Kennedy said in April.

Earlier this year, a Vermont child who had recently traveled internationally was confirmed to have been infected with measles. In March, a man tested positive for measles after traveling on an Amtrak train originating from Boston’s South Station to Washington D.C.

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.

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Connecticut

School Bus Driver Arrested, Local Officials Take Action: CT News

Published

8 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

School Bus Driver Arrested, Local Officials Take Action: CT News

Patch AM brings you the breaking and trending news stories of the day in Connecticut. These stories and headlines feature articles from across the state. You can go directly to your local Patch by clicking here.

Breaking news:

School officials said counseling and support services will be available Monday for anyone who may need them.>>>Read More.

A motorcyclist was killed and a passenger was seriously injured after a collision with a pickup truck, police said.>>>Read More.

A 26-year-old was killed in the crash.>>>Read More.

Police are investigating a homicide that took place in town.>>>Read More.

Police said they are searching for the suspects.>>>Read More.

Trending news:

The beloved restaurant was wiped away but is coming back.>>>Read More.

A buyer is still being sought for the unique restaurant.>>>Read More.

A new restaurant has announced a soft opening.>>>Read More.

The location marks the company’s first in Connecticut and fifth in the United States.>>>Read More.

The brand has over 410 stores across the country and is expanding its presence in the Northeast.>>>Read More.

LuAnn’s newest cafe is set to open.>>>Read More.

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Connecticut

Colorblends’ stunning displays make their spring return

Published

20 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Colorblends’ stunning displays make their spring return

A local favorite is back.

Colorblends is known for its garden and gallery house.

In the next few weeks, visitors will see vibrant flower bulbs coming into bloom in the garden.

You can also see works of art displayed in the gallery, in partnership with Ursa Gallery.

“We’re a wholesale flower bulb supplier, so it’s basically a living catalogue of everything that we carry,” says Colorblends owner Tim Schipper. “We have a lot of regular visitors that know to come a couple times in the spring time to see what’s going on.”

The garden and house are open until mid-May.

An artist reception is set for April 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.

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Connecticut

Man Threw Rocks At Home, Deflated Tire: Plainfield Police

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Man Threw Rocks At Home, Deflated Tire: Plainfield Police

PLAINFIELD, CT — A man is accused of throwing rocks at a home and banging on the homeowner’s door, police said.

At 9:37 a.m. Saturday, police received a call for a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle on Church Street in Plainfield.

The caller reported that a Walmart delivery order containing perishable grocery items had mistakenly arrived on their front porch, police said.

The caller reported that upon realizing the items were perishable, the bags were placed inside their refrigerator to prevent spoilage, police said.

“The caller stated that an unknown male had then arrived at their residence and began throwing rocks at the residence, was banging on the door shouting profanities, and deflated a tire on the caller’s vehicle in the driveway,” police said in a news release.

After reviewing surveillance footage, officers made contact with the accused, Kyle Wilczek, 28, at his residence nearby and placed him under arrest without incident, police added.

He is charged with second-degree breach of peace and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief and was released on a $5,000 bond.

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