July 7, 2016

Zika Awareness Campaign Launched at Bradley International Airport

A recent press release from the governor's office describes the Zika awareness campaign launched at Bradley International Airport on June 17.  The campaign was created by the Department of Public Health (DPH), Connecticut Airport Authority, federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and JetBlue.  Its target audience is JetBlue passengers flying to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico, but other passengers are likely to come across the posters, pamphlets, and public service announcements (PSAs) that make up the campaign.

Two sets of posters have been placed on JetBlue's jet bridges and baggage carousel.  One set of posters warn departing passengers of the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and list steps for avoiding mosquito bites.  Other posters advise arriving passengers of the symptoms to watch out for and to seek treatment if any symptoms arise.  DPH has created a wallet-sized, fold out pamphlet with Zika information that is being given to passengers boarding flights to San Juan.  PSAs featuring Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and DPH Commissioner Raul Pino are also playing on monitors in the TSA passenger screening areas.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 935 people have tested positive for Zika in the United States as of June 29, 2016.  According to DPH, 22 people have tested positive for Zika in Connecticut as of June 29, 2016.  Three of them were pregnant women.  Another 11 people have tested positive for flavivirus, which includes several mosquito- and tick-borne viruses, including Zika.  Medical tests could not distinguish between Zika and these other viruses.  Seven of the 11 cases were pregnant women.   

For more information, read the full press release here