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Norwalk epidemiologist: respiratory illnesses low but measles outbreak and tick‑borne infections are concerns
Summary
Epidemiologist Brian Meeks told the Board of Health that respiratory virus activity is low in national and state indicators, but measles cases nationally are high in 2025 and Norwalk tick testing has detected Borrelia; the department urges vaccination, testing and tick precautions.
Norwalk — At an April 22 Board of Health meeting, Norwalk Health Department epidemiologist Brian Meeks reported low current respiratory illness activity nationally and in Connecticut, but he urged continued vigilance on measles and tick‑borne disease.
Meeks said national emergency‑department visits for COVID‑19, influenza and RSV are low and decreasing, and wastewater measures for SARS‑CoV‑2 and influenza were similarly low in most places. "The overall situation for the country is at low," he said.
At the same time, Meeks flagged an ongoing measles outbreak elsewhere in the U.S.: "For 2025, we have a total of 800 cases so far," he said, and reported that about 69% of cases are pediatric (age 19 and younger) and that 96% of the cases reported so far are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status. He told the board that hospitalizations represented roughly 11% of reported cases and that the outbreak had spread to more than 25 jurisdictions, increasing the risk of local exposures through travel.
Meeks urged residents to confirm MMR vaccination status and to seek medical care promptly if exposed or symptomatic; the department’s immunization services remain available through the Norwalk Health Department web page.
Ticks and Lyme disease Meeks also reviewed Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station tick testing data and Norwalk results from 2024. He said Norwalk had 87 ticks submitted for testing, of which about 46 specimens were identified for further analysis; roughly 15% of submitted specimens tested positive for Borrelia (the genus that includes the agent of Lyme disease). He urged routine tick checks for people and pets and described appropriate specimen handling and testing steps available through the health department.
Why it matters: Meeks said the measles outbreak reflects low immunity pockets and travel‑associated spread; he said measles remains largely preventable with two doses of MMR vaccine and that the majority of recent U.S. cases involve unvaccinated people or unknown vaccine status.
Other prevention guidance Meeks reiterated standard respiratory precautions — immunization where eligible, hand hygiene, staying home while febrile and improving indoor air with filters such as MERV‑13 or HEPA where practical. He noted antivirals and other treatments remain available for influenza and COVID where clinically appropriate.
Ending: Meeks asked the board and public to remain aware of vaccine‑preventable diseases and tick checks as warmer weather increases outdoor exposures.
