Connecticut State Department of Public Health

COVID-19 Community Levels Update, March 24, 2023: The CDC has listed all eight Connecticut counties in the Low/Green category as part of its weekly Community Levels update. People who are at a high risk for severe illness should consider additional measures to minimize their exposure to COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. Visit the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels Map for updates.


Please visit covidtests.gov to request four free COVID-19 self-test kits from the Federal Government. Find a location that has a supply of COVID-19 therapeutics as part of the Test to Treat initiative here. The complete DPH COVID-19 toolbox is located at ct.gov/coronavirus.

Powassan virus disease

Black-legged (Deer) Tick

 

Powassan virus disease is spread to people through the bite of an infected Black-legged (“deer”) tick (Ixodes scapularis). This is a rare, emerging infection in the United States and human cases have been identified in Connecticut. The virus can cause severe disease. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Powassan virus infection. The best way to prevent Powassan virus disease is to prevent tick bites.

 

About Powassan virus Disease

 

Information for Clinicians

 

Clinical Guidance (CDC)

 

National Surveillance Case Definitions

 

Connecticut Provider Reporting Information

 

Connecticut Laboratory Reporting Information

 

 

Powassan virus testing at the State Public Health Laboratory

State Public Health Laboratory Contacts – for additional information

 

Tick-borne Diseases of the United States – a Reference Manual for Healthcare Providers

 

Connecticut Powassan virus disease Surveillance


The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) added Powassan virus disease to the list of state-wide reportable diseases in 2019. DPH uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance case definition, which was established in 2005. Surveillance will help characterize the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and incidence of Powassan virus disease in Connecticut, and will assist with the national description of the diseases.

 

Connecticut Annual Infectious Diseases Statistics

 

 

This page last updated 11/9/2022.