Connecticut plans to monitor mosquitoes for the Zika virus this summer.
Dr.Theodore Andreadis, Executive Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, said the species of mosquito that has been largely responsible for spreading the virus in the Caribbean and South and Central America has not been found in Connecticut. He said another species of mosquito in the state, the Asian tiger mosquito, has also been shown to transmit the Zika virus.
"We first detected it back in 2006, and we do have some populations that appear to be fully established in coastal lower Fairfield County," he said.
Health officials said there are currently no cases of the virus in Connecticut.
The virus is being investigated to find if there's a possible link between pregnant women who have been infected, and subsequent birth defects. Health officials say the virus is not transmitted through casual contact.
In Suffolk County, Long Island, there are now three confirmed cases of the virus. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said those infected with the virus had recently traveled to countries where the virus is active.
New York State said it also plans to monitor mosquitoes in New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley this spring.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health has asked healthcare providers to report any suspected cases of the Zika virus.
Copyright 2016 WSHU
