Andre Baker Jr

I hope this message finds you and your family well.  

According to the CT Mosquito Management Program, mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Easton. There have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Connecticut so far this season.

Residents should take steps to prevent mosquito bites at this time of year. Those steps include the following:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• While outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting, and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside.

For more information on the latest testing results and locations, visit the CT Mosquito Management Program and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station.

A Commitment to Maternal Health Services

Supporting maternal health doesn't begin in the delivery room.
 
It starts with access to care, education, and resources, long before pregnancy.
 
Connecticut committed to providing access to maternal health services during the 2025 legislative session with the passage of  HB 7102, An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care, and HB 7214, An Act Concerning Maternal Health.

HB 7102 requires the state to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of birth centers and birthing hospitals in parts of the state with high percentages of Medicaid recipients and limited access to these facilities.

The bill also expands perinatal mental health services and strengthens family support, including programs that aid fathers in supporting maternal health.

HB 7214 enhances hospital transparency and accountability in maternal care by establishing a task force to assess the availability of perinatal mental health care services and identify care gaps. It also calls for an advisory committee to study doula-friendly practices in hospitals.

HB 7102 and HB 7214 affirm Connecticut's dedication to ensuring safe, high-quality care, regardless of race, income, or zip code.