Connecticut
Connecticut Health Officials Warn Of Potential Measles Outbreaks At Dozens Of Schools | CT News Junkie
HARTFORD, CT — As measles outbreaks spread across the United States, Connecticut health officials are urging residents to double check their vaccination status, while also raising the alarm about the potential for outbreaks at more than two dozen elementary schools with low immunization rates.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 378 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 18 different jurisdictions, as far west as Alaska and California, as far east as New York and Rhode Island, and as far south as Texas and Florida. That number already eclipses the total number of measles cases for all of 2024, which stood at 285 at the end of the year.
There has been one confirmed death from measles, and another death remains under investigation.
Connecticut has avoided having any measles cases so far, but public health officials say the conditions exist for an outbreak.
Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the state Department of Health (DPH), said in an interview that there have been no confirmed cases of measles in Connecticut so far, but that cases in neighboring states require that residents be aware of their vaccination status and get the shot if needed.
“Vaccination is the number one way that we can make sure that we can help people stay protected, because you don’t always know exactly what your exposure has been, or what the situation may be,” she said. “Say if you’re in a broader group setting, like you’re at a park or in a movie theater, or something like that. You may not know somebody specifically (with measles), but there could have been somebody there.”
Juthani said the department is not concerned about community spread right now, thanks to high vaccination rates for measles in adults in the state. She also pointed to Connecticut’s childhood vaccination rate for children entering kindergarten, which is 97.7%.
There is still cause for concern though, she said. Juthani said in order to achieve herd immunity against measles, 95% of a given population needs to be fully vaccinated. Herd immunity is an epidemiological concept where high rates of immunizations protect those who are not immunized.
However, according to the state’s 2023-24 school year data on kindergarten immunization rates by school, there were 62 elementary schools where immunization rates below 95%. Of those, 26 were below 90%, and five schools had rates below 80%. The school with the lowest rate of immunization – Stamford Charter School For Excellence – had just 62.5% of its kindergarteners fully immunized.
Waterbury led the list with seven elementary schools where immunizations for measles were below 90%. Bridgeport was second with four, followed by Hartford with three. Schools in Mansfield, Ledyard, Moosup, and other small towns also had schools with sub-90% immunization.
“We continually work with areas where we may see (low immunization rates). When you have less than 95% there is a potential risk in a given community,” Juthani said.
Lack of clarity on immunizations at the federal level, and threats of funding cuts, have placed several state departments on edge, and DPH is no exception.
“We are a highly dependent agency in terms of federal dollars,” Juthani said. “We receive 80% of our funding from the federal government, and we are closely monitoring the situation on a daily and hourly basis, quite frankly.”
Juthani said she did not know what cuts could be coming to her department, “but we do need funding to be ready and to have a response.”
The size of the outbreak has garnered national attention from healthcare professionals.
David Higgins, a practicing pediatrician and health service researcher at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, said even though vaccination rates may be high at the state level, measles spreads at the community level.
“We know, and this is why we’re here today, that in some communities we have seen vaccination rates drop so low that we’re seeing a resurgence in the spread of measles outbreaks,” he said Thursday during a webinar hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “I like to say that when vaccination rates drop in a community, it is not a question of if, it’s a question of when.”
Measles is one of the world’s most highly transmissible viruses, with a single victim infecting an average of 18 others.
The DPH recommends that everyone should ensure that their vaccination status is up to date before traveling internationally or to areas in the United States with an active measles outbreak. Children ages 6 to 11 months should receive a dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before traveling.
The CDC describes measles an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400 to 500 people died of it in the United States each year. This year’s death of a child from measles was the first in the U.S. since 2015.
The data below are listed by name of school, public or non-public, town, MMR vaccination rate %, and number of religious, medical and total exemptions.
2023-2024 Connecticut Kindergarten Immunization Rates by School by Doug Hardy
DALLAS (WTNH) — A New London-based group is partnering with a Texas-based restaurant planning to open its first locations in Connecticut.
New London Hospitality has signed a new area development agreement with Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, for the development rights of three future locations in the state, according to a press release from Twin Peaks.
The release lists New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury and Stamford or Bridgeport as potential markets.
According to the release, New London Hospitality is run by Deepak Verma and Kam Singh, who have experience in the hospitality industry and have worked with major hotel brands including Hilton, Red Roof Inn and Choice Hotels.
“Deepak and Kam bring a powerful combination of hospitality expertise and operational discipline,” Twin Peaks CEO Kim Boerema said in the release. “Their experience growing multi-unit concepts makes them ideal partners as we enter Connecticut. We are confident they will help anchor Twin Peaks as a new favorite for sports fans throughout the state.”
Twin Peaks describes itself as “the ultimate sports lodge featuring made-from-scratch food and the coldest beer in the business, surrounded by scenic views and wall-to-wall TVs. At every Twin Peaks, guests are immediately welcomed by a friendly Twin Peaks Girl and served up a menu made for MVPs.”
“Twin Peaks delivers everything guests want in a sports bar — scratch-made food, 29-degree draft beer, and the best place to catch every game,” Verma said. “We look forward to introducing the brand’s signature lodge experience and welcoming Twin Peaks girls to Connecticut, establishing a new home base for local sports fans and food enthusiasts.”
Twin Peaks was founded in 2005 in Lewisville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. There are 114 locations in the United States and Mexico. The closest location to Connecticut is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — As Friday’s stormy weather brings strong rains and damaging winds, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and local agencies are reporting the following alerts.
Stormy Friday Weather
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Note: Not every alert can be attributed to weather.
Current Traffic Alerts:
- NEW HAVEN – Two-vehicle crash on Route 15 southbound between Exits 46 and 42B. The right lane is closed. Reported at 3:28 p.m.
- OLD SAYBROOK – Route 154 (Main Street) closed in both directions between Willard Ave Ext. and Cromwell Ave because of tree down with wires. Reported Friday, December 19 at 2:20 pm.
- PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed # 105 Norwich Road and Kinney Hill Road for tree in wires. Reported at 12:31 p.m.
- PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed in both directions at Arbor Lane due to a pole down in wires. Reported at 12:25 p.m.
- N. STONINGTON – Route 184 (Providence New London Turnpike) closed in both directions at Rt 49 (Pendelton Hill Road) because of tree down. Reported at 12:11 p.m.
- COLCHESTER – Colchester Route 85 New London Road closed between Lake Hayward Road and West Road because of Wires Down. Reported at 12:04 p.m.
- UNION – Route 171 closed at Route 197 and Rindge Road for a tree down in wires. Reported at 12:02 p.m.
- DEEP RIVER – Route 80 (Winthrop Road) closed in both directions between Cedar Swamp Road and Bahr Road because of a tree down. Reported at 11:58 a.m.
- OXFORD – Route 67 is closed at Route 42 for wires and a transformer down. Reported at 11:49 a.m.
- LEBANON – Lebanon RT-207 Exeter Road is closed at Clubhouse Road because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 11:46 a.m.
- NORTH BRANFORD – Route 17 northbound and southbound at the intersection of Rt 22 is closed. Utility work in area. Reported at 11:47 a.m.
- BRANFORD – Localized flooding is currently occurring in multiple areas of town.
- SEYMOUR – Fire officials are asking people to avoid Highland Avenue and Gilyard Street because a large tree has snapped a telephone pole. Please use alternate routes.
- MIDDLETOWN – Multiple businesses without power.
- EAST LYME – Route 161 (Flanders Road) closed in both directions at Society Road because of pole down with wires. Reported at 11:50 a.m.
- EAST LYME – Tree down on powerlines on West Main Street, Niantic (Rte. 156) in the area of #278. Roadway is currently closed at Douglas Avenue and Four Mile intersection. Eversource has been notified. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- MANSFIELD – Route 195 is closed at Ledgewood Drive for a tree down across the road. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- GUILFORD – Route 146 Leetes Island Road closed in both directions between Wingate Road and Moose Hill Road because of a tree down with wires. Reported at 11:44 a.m.
- THOMPSON – Thompson Route 193/Thompson Road is closed between Route 12/Riverside Drive and Robbins Road because of a Tree Down. Reported Friday, December 19 at 11:36 am.
- COLCHESTER – Colchester Route16/Middletown Road is closed between Bigelow Road and Victoria Drive because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- HARWINTON – Harwinton Route 4/Burlington Road closed between Harmony Hill Road and Route 72 Terryville Road because of a tree down with wires on the road. A fire was also reported. Reported at 9:14 a.m.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Doctors are voicing concerns on the rising number of flu cases, including a new strain some are referring to as the “super flu,” as many are gathering indoors with loved ones for the holiday season.
With Christmas just a week away, Dr. Ulysses Wu, the chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said there are growing concerns over the new H3N2 flu strain.
“We had a very late flu season this year, but we’re making up for it like gang busters,” Dr. Wu said. “What’s happening with this one is, this has changed a bit, making it a little bit more infectious. It invades our immune system a little bit more, and that’s why we’re seeing a rise in cases.”
The most notable jump in the U.S. has been happening in New York City, with 14,000 cases reported in the first week of December. That is a 460% jump from the same time last year, according to the state flu tracker.
Dr. Wu warned that, because of its location, Connecticut is at risk to see a jump in flu cases.
“Remember, we’re sandwiched between New York and Boston, and we do have our share of travelers and commuters as well,” Dr. Wu said. “Our rates have certainly increased and that’s to be expected.”
Dr. Wu recommended that it is best to listen to medical professionals when it comes to the flu vaccine and the new H3N2 strain.
“So people are saying, ‘Oh well it’s changed, the vaccine isn’t going to work.’ It is still going to work,” Dr. Wu explained. “The whole point is to modulate the course of the disease so it’s not as severe.
Dr. Wu said that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also up among children and older adults in Connecticut. When it comes to holiday celebrations, Dr. Wu recommends using common sense — wash your hands, stay home if you are sick and get vaccinated if you haven’t been already.
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