Connecticut

‘Swimmer’s Itch’ case confirmed at beaches in Connecticut town

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2023

‘Swimmer’s Itch’ case confirmed at beaches in Connecticut town

GREENWICH, CT (WFSB) – Local health officials said on Monday that they’ve been informed of episodes of “Swimmer’s Itch” at several beaches in Greenwich.

The Greenwich Department of Health said Swimmer’s Itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that are released from snails into fresh and salt water.

Although humans are not the parasite’s preferred host, they can come into contact with a swimmer and cause an allergic reaction and rash.

The health department said Swimmers Itch is found throughout the world and surfaces mainly during the summer months. It’s not contagious.

“Although not all persons who came in contact with the parasite develop Swimmer’s Itch, prolonged contact with waters known to have prompted Swimmer’s Itch increase a person’s risk,” the department said. “As a result, children are more susceptible, since they wade in recreational waters for long periods of time and do not towel dry themselves after coming out of the water.”

The following symptoms of Swimmer’s Itch may include:

Tingling, burning or itching of the skin within minutes or days
Appearance of small reddish pimples on the skin within about 12 hours
Small blisters may occur at the site of the small pimples within a short period of time
The urge to scratch will present itself; however, scratching can lead to infection. Itching will subside in a short period of time, but relief measures should be considered.

Most cases do not require medical attention.

The following may provide some relief:

Use of corticosteroid cream
Application of cool compresses to the affected area
Bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda
Soak in colloidal oatmeal baths
Application of a baking soda paste to the rash
Use of anti-itch lotion

Many factors must be present for Swimmer’s Itch to become a problem in swimming water, health officials said. Since the factors change and cannot be tested for, it is not known how long the water will be affected.

“As a precaution, the Department of Health has requested that all Greenwich beaches be posted notifying residents of the possible risk of Swimmer’s Itch,” they said. “If the problem intensifies, the Department of Health will consider closing a beach location to swimming.”

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Connecticut

Stolen Connecticut fire pickup truck located in Deerfield after driver impersonated police officer

Published

1 hour ago

January 19, 2025

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Stolen Connecticut fire pickup truck located in Deerfield after driver impersonated police officer

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Massachusetts State Police arrested a Windsor, Connecticut man after he stole a fire department pickup truck and impersonated a police officer.

Troopers were alerted of a Windsor Fire Department pickup truck conducting suspicious motor vehicle stops along Interstate 91 in Northampton and Whatley.

The truck driver would turn on his emergency lights, stop and interact with vehicles, and fail to identify himself.

Troopers were ordered to be on the lookout for the truck.

After a short time, Deerfield and Mass. State Police located and identified the truck and ordered it to stop. The truck driver pulled over briefly before driving away, starting a pursuit.

Officers were successfully able to deploy stop sticks, stopping the truck in the rest area of the Deerfield Weigh Station at mile marker 37. The driver was taken into custody around 5 A.M. without further incident.

When officers were able to contact the Police and Fire officials of the Connecticut State Police, they learned that the suspect allegedly broke into the Windsor firehouse, attempted to start a fire, and stole a pickup truck early Saturday morning.

The suspect, 46-year-old Kristian Avery of Windsor, Connecticut is facing charges in Massachusetts of:

receiving stolen property
impersonating a police office
failure to stop for police
improper use of emergency lights.

The incident is currently under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Connecticut

Governor Lamont urges residents to prepare for significant snowfall

Published

9 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Governor Lamont urges residents to prepare for significant snowfall

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Governor Ned Lamont advised Connecticut residents to prepare for the first significant statewide snowfall of the winter season.

The snow is expected to begin on the afternoon of Sunday, January 19, 2025, and continue into Monday morning.

Meteorologists predict that most of the state will receive 4 to 10 inches of snow.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead and avoid travel during the height of the storm, which is expected to impact road conditions.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has more than 600 snowplows and specialized snow removal equipment ready for deployment across the state.

Crews are on standby throughout the weekend and will remain active until the roads are cleared of snow and ice.

“We’ve only had relatively light snow so far this winter, but this is the first storm where most of the state can expect to see an accumulation of more than several inches,” Governor Lamont said. “This storm is being forecast well in advance, so now is the time to prepare. If possible, stay off the roads, enjoy the game, and wait until conditions improve. If you need to drive, take it slow, and if you approach a plow, please keep a safe distance and allow them to do their jobs.”

“If you must travel during this storm, please slow down, use caution, and leave extra space between your vehicle and others,” said Laoise King, Deputy Commissioner of CTDOT.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, there were 498 fatal crashes and over 32,000 injury crashes caused by snow or sleet conditions.

Tips for Staying Safe Around Snowplows:

Maintain Distance: Stay well behind snowplows and avoid their blind spots.
Avoid Passing: Passing a snowplow is dangerous and can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of collisions.
Give Plows Space: Allow plenty of room for snowplow operators to work safely.

Winter Driving Safety Tips:

Slow Down: Adjust your speed to match road conditions and increase your following distance.
Equip Winter Tires: Winter tires improve traction on icy and snowy roads.
Stay Informed: Check weather reports and road conditions before traveling. Visit CTroads.org for real-time updates.
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Keep essentials such as blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a first aid kit in your vehicle.
Never Drive Impaired: Driving under the influence is illegal and hazardous to all road users.

For more information on snowplow safety and winter driving, visit NHTSA Winter Driving Tips.

To receive emergency alerts, visit CTAlert.

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