Latest news with #ManishaJuthani
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Week in Connecticut: Connecticut Public Health Commissioner awaits news on federal budget cuts
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani is navigating potential cuts from the federal government. She spoke with Dennis House on This Week in Connecticut on how people in Connecticut could be impacted. Watch above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rise in measles cases across U.S. cause for concern
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — A virus once considered primarily a childhood illness is returning with a vengeance. Measles cases are spiking in the U.S., but so far none have been reported in Connecticut. However, the number of cases across America are sounding an alarm from our state's Department of Health. Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, noted it is an anomaly that there have been approximately 800 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. so far this year. Those cases are showing up in 24 states across America, including in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Ohio. Health experts said 96% of people with the virus were unvaccinated, and most were children. 'Over a third have been in school-age children, and then about a third have been in children under the age of five,' Juthani said. 'And what we really want to do is keep our children protected.' While Connecticut remains free of the virus for now, cases are showing up in nearby states like New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus, especially when there is close contact. Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis, and common cold symptoms. Immunization is the best defense against the virus according to health experts. It is even more important when traveling to areas where cases have recently spiked, inside or outside the U.S. '44 of the 48 imported cases were among U.S. residents who traveled internationally,' Juthani said. 'We know that measles is primarily an infection of childhood, but it does not mean that older adults cannot get it as well.' People born between 1963 and 1967 are being advised to get a shot of the MMR vaccine. According to health department, the vaccine used at that time was slightly weaker than what's being administered right now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State officials warn health cuts will have drastic impact
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State officials are reeling over $150 million worth of lost federal funding for the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was pulling back over $11 billion worth of grants nationwide. Connecticut attorney general vows to fight $150M in canceled public health funding Gov. Ned Lamont and his Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said this pull back of federal grant money will have an immediate, negative impact on residents across Connecticut. 'These implications for public health are real, they affect every single person in this room and will every day,' Dr. Juthani said. 'Whether it be you, your children, your grandchildren, your parents, your grandparents.' State Republicans said that they're weary of federal pullbacks, but have consistently accused the Democrats of essentially fear mongering about the scope of those cuts. 'I understand that there may or may not be cuts coming from the federal government,' State Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-86) said. 'I did hear this morning, most of this isn't going to happen until September when congress reconvenes to vote on a resolution. So, the fact of the matter is that we are, again, focusing on things that we have no control over. And meanwhile, Rome is burning.' Candelora was referring to the state's own fiscal situation, separate and apart from what's happening in Washington. He made those remarks at a really fiery gathering of Republicans at the Capitol, where they leveled some of the harshest criticism against Gov. Lamont. That Republican press conference was happening at the same time as the Governor and his top health officials were railing against the Trump administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CT health department urges residents to get measles vaccine as cases rise across the US
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — As of Thursday, Connecticut health officials say there are no cases of measles in our state. However, they're encouraging residents get vaccinated as communities across the country are seeing a rise in cases. Department of Public Health officials are encouraging all residents to get vaccinated against measles to keep the virus out of Connecticut. Measles cases rise to about 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. Here's what you should know 'Measles is a highly contagious disease, and it is also entirely preventable with the MMR vaccine,' DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said. Everyone is urged to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated if not already fully protected. 'Staying up to date on vaccinations not only protects you and your family but also helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions,' Juthani said. To establish 'herd immunity,' a community needs vaccine coverage of 95% or greater. Measles confirmed in 3 more states as cases multiply Officials said Connecticut has a high vaccination rate, with 97.7% of kindergarten students up to date with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine during the 2023–24 school year. But DPH officials wants everyone- not just students- to be vaccinated, especially in light of current outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Officials recommend a dose of the MMR vaccine for infants 6 to 11 months old who will be travelling internationally or to areas of the United States with active measles transmission. The dose should be given at least two weeks before travel. Adults who received their MMR vaccines between 1963 and 1967 are also encouraged to talk to their primary care provider about next steps, since they may have received a measles vaccine that was less effective. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
