Public health updates from the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Have a question? Feel free to ask us on Twitter!

Joined April 2009
6,005 Photos and videos
Our interactive map shows where mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been found in Connecticut 🦟🔍 Here’s how to protect yourself: ✔ Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn (that’s peak mosquito time) ✔ Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus) ✔ Wear long sleeves and pants when you’re outside Mosquito season in Connecticut usually runs from June through October, and that’s when bites are most likely. 👉 View the map: ow.ly/nYlu50Z1QJY
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⚠️ Product Recall Alert! The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled Darice Timeless Minis mini toys, including mini red wagons, watering cans, and chairs, because they contain levels of lead that violate the federal lead paint ban. Parents and caregivers should: ✔️ Stop using these products immediately ✔️ Dispose of them safely ✔️ Report any related injuries or illnesses ✔️ Talk with their child's healthcare provider about potential lead exposure concerns Lead exposure can be harmful to a child's health and development. If you believe your child may have been exposed to lead, contact your healthcare provider. 🔗 Read the full Press Release: ow.ly/HtAK50ZbcrA #CTDPH #ProductRecall #LeadSafety #ChildHealth #ConsumerSafety
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❤️ Love is powerful—and so is progress. National Loving Day honors the 1967 Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision that struck down laws banning interracial marriage in the United States. It’s a reminder that love should never be limited by race, and that progress is built by challenging injustice. Today, we celebrate love in all its forms and recognize the importance of equity, inclusion, and the freedom to love who we love. #LovingDay #NationalLovingDay #LoveIsLove #EquityMatters #CTDPH #PublicHealth
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☀️ Connecticut is in for a stretch of hot and humid weather through Sunday, with some of the highest temperatures expected on Friday. Here are a few simple ways to stay cool: 💧 Drink plenty of water throughout the day ❄️ Spend time in air-conditioned spaces when possible 🚗 Never leave children or pets in a parked car 🏠 Check in on older adults, neighbors, and anyone who may need extra support 📞 Call 211 to find a cooling center near you Stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care of one another!
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LGBTQ youth deserve safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. 🌈 But stigma, discrimination, and lack of support continue to create serious health disparities. According to the CDC, LGBTQ youth are more likely than their peers to experience bullying, poor mental health, violence, and suicidal thoughts. These disparities are not because of who they are — they are driven by barriers, bias, and unequal access to support. Creating affirming schools, communities, and healthcare systems can make a life-changing difference. Learn more about LGBTQ youth health disparities from the CDC: ow.ly/xA5650YZ1NK
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📣 We’ve moved on Instagram! The Connecticut Department of Public Health is now posting from our new Instagram account: @ct_dph. We’ll be gradually transitioning away from @CTDPH, so be sure to follow @ct_dph to stay connected to trusted public health updates, resources, events, and news from across Connecticut. Follow us here 👉 ow.ly/V3YI50Za5PM Thanks for staying connected with us 💚 #CTDPH #PublicHealth #Connecticut
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Big crowds = Big energy. But what about those not-so-welcome guests? 🦠 Germs spread fast in packed spaces—but so can good habits: 🧼 Clean hands often 🤧 Cover coughs sneezes 🍔 Be mindful with shared food 💧 Stay home if you’re sick Cheer loud and stay healthy. Keep the germs on the bench! ⚽
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⚽ Ready for the global soccer matches? 🦠Have questions about the recent Ebola headlines and what they mean for Connecticut? On the latest episode of Connecticut's Health Report, Commissioner Juthani and a local health director break down the facts, address common concerns, and answer the infectious disease questions people are asking right now. 🎧 Watch or listen: YouTube: ow.ly/MwRf50Z9FwR Spotify: ow.ly/WhRG50Z9FwP Vimeo: ow.ly/oW1r50Z9FwQ DPH website: ow.ly/p4Bh50Z9FwO
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📞 Your health can’t wait! This #NationalCallYourDoctorDay is a reminder to schedule important check-ups, ask questions, and stay proactive about your health. Regular visits with your healthcare provider can help catch concerns early, manage ongoing conditions, and keep you on track for better well-being. 💙 ✔ Schedule preventive screenings ✔ Stay up to date on vaccines ✔ Discuss any health changes ✔ Prioritize your care A quick call today can support a healthier tomorrow.
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🏆 Game plan: cheer loud, travel smart & stay healthy! Whether you're crossing the state or crossing the globe, a few simple health precautions can help you enjoy every match with peace of mind. Swipe for your travel health checklist. ⚽✈️ #TravelSmart #WorldCupTravel #HealthyFans #PublicHealth #CTDPH
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🎙️ NEW EPISODE DROP | Connecticut's Health Report 🌍⚽ Ebola. International travel. Major global sporting events. Commissioner Juthani and a local health director break down the infectious disease topics people are talking about and how Connecticut stays prepared for emerging public health threats. Listen now and get the facts behind the headlines: YouTube: ow.ly/cM6K50Z9mbu Spotify: ow.ly/n4k350Z9mbq Vimeo: ow.ly/jf1I50Z9mbm DPH website: ow.ly/NrHG50Z9mbn
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This Pride Month, let’s talk about what it means to be an ally 🌈 An ally is someone who actively supports LGBTQ people and helps create spaces that are respectful, safe, and inclusive. Here’s what that looks like in real life: • Listen to lived experiences and stay open to learning: no amount of reading or other 'expertise' can substitute for lived experience • Speak up when something isn’t respectful or inclusive, even if it’s uncomfortable • Use correct names, pronouns, and inclusive language • Keep learning through events, trainings, and conversations • Support policies that improve equity and access • Check in and stay engaged year-round, not just during Pride Month True allyship means putting the people or communities you support at the center—listening to their perspectives, prioritizing their needs, and respecting their goals. Learn more, listen more, and keep showing up — not just in June, but all year long. #PrideMonth #PublicHealth #CommunityWellbeing
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🌊 Happy World Oceans Day, Connecticut! The ocean might feel far away for some of us, but it’s all connected—and it plays a huge role in our health, our climate, and our communities. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, healthy oceans support life in ways we often don’t see. Today is a reminder to: ♻️ Reduce plastic waste 🚯 Properly dispose of trash 🌱 Choose sustainable habits when you can 💙 Appreciate and protect our waterways Small actions on land really do add up to a big impact at sea. #WorldOceansDay #CTDPH #HealthyCT #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #ProtectOurPlanet
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This #WorldEnvironmentDay, remember that environmental health is about more than nature — it’s about the everyday conditions that help communities stay healthy and safe. Clean air, safe drinking water, healthy housing, and reduced pollution all play a role in preventing illness and supporting well-being. 💚 Small actions can still make a difference: 🌱 Reduce pollution 💧 Help protect clean water ♻ Support healthier spaces and communities Because environmental health is public health. Learn more: ow.ly/Twi750Z1E5W
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June is National Aphasia Awareness Month 🧠💙 Aphasia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, or write. It’s often caused by a stroke or brain injury and can change how someone communicates with the world around them. Millions of people are living with aphasia, yet many have never heard of it. Raising awareness helps create understanding, support, and stronger communities for those affected. If you or someone you love is navigating aphasia, help and resources are available: ow.ly/WpzK50YYbUo #NationalAphasiaAwarenessMonth #AphasiaAwareness #StrokeRecovery #CTDPH #BrainHealth #PublicHealth
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🚲 Your legs called—they’re ready for something other than scrolling. Happy World Bicycle Day, Connecticut! Whether you're riding for fun, fitness, or your daily commute, biking is a great way to support your health while enjoying the outdoors. Wherever you ride, remember: ✔️ Wear a helmet ✔️ Follow traffic laws ✔️ Stay visible ✔️ Ride safely So go ahead—log off, gear up, and get pedaling! #WorldBicycleDay #CTDPH #HealthyCT #BikeCT #RideSafeCT #PublicHealth
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🎓 Congrats, Future College Students! You’ve chosen your school—now it’s time to get campus-ready 📚 Many colleges and universities have immunization requirements to help support health and safety in shared living and learning spaces. As you get ready for move-in, it can be helpful to: ✔️ Check your school’s requirements ✔️ Review your immunization records at ow.ly/rn3950Z19HX ✔️ Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions Planning ahead can help make for a smooth start to this exciting new chapter! #CollegeReady #HealthyCommunities
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On #HeatActionDay, we’re reminded that extreme heat is one of Connecticut’s most serious — and most preventable — public health risks. 🌡️ Last summer showed how quickly conditions can escalate, with heat index values over 100°F, rising ozone 😷, and multiple 90° days across the state ☀️. Heat can quickly become dangerous, leading to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Stay cool, stay connected, and check on those most vulnerable 💧. Need a cool place to go? Call 211 or visit ow.ly/l1Ph50Z1fxr to find a cooling center near you.
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June is Pride Month, a time to recognize the history, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ communities. It is also a reminder that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported where they live, work, and play. Take time this month to learn, listen, and help support inclusion and belonging for all. 💙 Learn more about the history of Pride Month: ow.ly/JZQb50YZ070 #PrideMonth #PublicHealth #CommunityWellbeing
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June is Men’s Health Month — a time to raise awareness about the health challenges men face and the importance of prevention. 💙 Heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and other serious conditions can often be better managed — or even prevented — through routine screenings, healthy habits, and early action. Take charge of your health this month: schedule a checkup, know your risks, and encourage the men in your life to do the same. #MensHealthMonth
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