Connecticut is receiving nearly $580,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionto track and protect citizens from the Zika virus. As of July 27, the state tested 491 people for the virus, which is carried by mosquitoes and has been linked to birth defects. Forty-five people including 3 pregnant women have tested positive as a result of traveling to affected areas like Central and South America.
Dr. Raul Pino, the commissioner of the state’s public health department, says the agency is partnering with community health centers and hospitals to each test people who have not traveled to those areas.
“The idea is that we are looking to potentially catch cases that may be related to local transmission either by mosquito or sexual transmission,” said Pino during a press conference in July.
Connecticut had requested more than $900,000 from the federal government. The state will also monitor Zika-related birth defects, such as babies being born with small heads, or microcephaly.
