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Come on Down to the Farm!

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The Plympton Agricultural Commission invites the public to “Come on out to the Farm” on Sunday, June 26, from noon to 3 p.m.  There will be town-wide tours at no charge for the entire family.  Come to experience the agriculture that abounds in the heart of Plympton, meet the farmers, and be inspired.

There will be demonstrations at Orion Acres on Elm Street, a 25-acre sheep farm where owner/farmer Linda Shauwecker produces fine Cotswolds and Cheviot wool.   Linda will shear a lamb at noon and speak about wool fiber and will have some woolen products for sale.

Jeff LaFleure of Mayflower Cranberries, will give a “Cranberries 101” talk at 2 p.m.  You will see bogs in bloom on the oldest working cranberry bog in Plympton.

Reunion Farm is in the very heart of Historic Plympton Village.  Geraldine and Macaela Burnet are fourth and fifth generation horsewomen.  They train horse and rider, and board horses as well.  Rick Burnet will be around town on the John Deere if the sun is shining, and you are welcome to watch the operation and even help stack some hay!

Russ Keirstead on Crescent Street’s Keirstead Farm, grows raspberries, cuts hay, and works on his family’s antique farm.  Stop by to learn from Russ about growing your own raspberries. 

Sunrise Gardens has been operated by the Harlfinger family in Plympton for the past 47 years.  Come visit and let Dick and Pat give you a tour of their commercial greenhouses and their ‘mum field.

Just Right Farm is a 300-year old farm that grows produce for its farm to table restaurant.  Talk with Kimberly about starting seed, vegetable gardening, and recipe ideas for your own produce. 

Call 781-936-5330 for more information.

Plympton BOH “letter” holds up closing on 59 Parsonage Road

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PLYMPTON– According to documents obtained from the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds and Plympton officials, the sale of the vacant property at 59 Parsonage Road from the USDA to Richmond Poole is being held up due to an almost two years-old order placed  by the Board of Health on the title to the property.

In September, 2014, Health Agent Cathy Drinan ordered the USDA Farm Service Agency, a federal lending agency which through default proceedings became the owner of the property, to take certain corrective actions to improve the safety of the property following a barn fire that occurred around that time.

After that fire, the house and surrounding land, including trailers with indications of illegal septic hook-ups were so unsafe that even fire personnel were ordered not to enter, according to documents.

The letter in part stated: “The house and trailers are all uninhabitable. The house doors are open, its chimneys are crumbling, the floors are collapsing, the roof and ceiling are collapsing in the kitchen, the ceilings in other rooms are collapsing, and mold is on all the surfaces…The trailers are in the same condition, if not worse. Animals are using the trailers, evidenced by large amounts [of] animal scat. There are also narrow animal paths through the high vegetation to all the trailers and some burrows in the ground…The trailers have evidence of illegal septic systems, determined by the pipes going into the ground from under the trailers…The open unsafe house and trailers pose serious safety threats and are examples of an attractive nuisance to children. This applies to the burned barn also, that has a lower level that is now barely visible between and under the burned beans. There is a deep hole under those beams.”

Drinan laid out corrective actions that needed to be taken immediately, but were never taken, according to Art Morin, chairman of the Board of Health. The USDA, he says, does not have a good history of working with local officials.

The USDA, which successfully auctioned off the house to Plympton resident Richmond Poole, still cannot close on the property because the Board’s letter constitutes a “cloud” on the title according to a letter from Poole’s attorney to the BOH even though Morin states that the USDA incorrectly advertised the property as having a clear title.

Poole is claiming that he cannot continue work on the property, although his attorney says he has completed six of the eight corrective actions the Board ordered, without a “memorandum of understanding” among himself and the other parties, in which the USDA allows him to continue to work on the property by putting money in escrow, and when completed, the BOH will lift the letter on the title and Poole’s lender can disburse money to him to close on the property.

Notably, from the road, trailers are still visible on the property. Poole claims he has not been authorized by the USDA to remove the trailers from the property until he closes, nor does he have the funding to take the trailers off before he closes.

According to Drinan, and documents obtained from Plympton Health officials, the Board is currently working with Poole and his attorney for draft language of such a memorandum of understanding for consideration. He is also seeking a re-inspection of the property by Drinan, at his own expense, to ensure that everything that needs to be taken care of from the Board of Health’s point-of-view has in fact been taken care of.

Fieldstone Farms co-operation “Disappointing”

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HALIFAX– Two hearings dominated a multi-hour Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, June 14, in Halifax. Scott Clawson, of Fieldstone Farms was there to finish up a consent agreement with the town that has been in the works for months, but instead got verbally excoriated by the Board for the better part of an hour. A representative from the Morse Brothers, Inc. for an earth removal permit also drew a crowd, and that hearing was lengthy as well.

Clawson defends

actions yet again

Scott Clawson, proprietor of Fieldstone Farms, was called before the Board earlier this year for advertising more horse-shows on his property than were allowed in a decades-old consent agreement he has with the town.

At that period in time, the Board chose to verbally admonish him, and then take up his request to modify the old consent agreement to one which would allow him to, amongst other things, hold more horse shows.

He has been represented by an attorney for most of the process.

This week, a 600-gallon unpermitted diesel-fuel tank, used for equipment fuel, was found on Clawson’s property. The Fire Chief issued a cease-and-desist order, but inspections with the state need to now be done to make sure no leakage occurred.

Clawson insisted he didn’t know that he needed a permit for the tank, and that it had been there a very long time. He promised to fix the problem.

The Board was incensed. Selectman Kim Roy appeared beside herself with anger. Fumbling for words, she eventually got out, “This is just very, very disappointing,” and “I’m angry. I really wanted to make this work. I really did…but…you’ve lost me at this point.”

The Board drove home the point that Clawson does not seem to follow rules ahead of time, only after he has been caught breaking them does he follow up and fix problems. The Board has a long history with him and this type of behavior, they say.

Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron, who repeatedly attempted to move the conversation along but was interrupted by his fellow selectmen, eventually stated that he, “doesn’t get angry,” but looked Clawson in the eye and said, “I don’t trust you.”

These were strong words for Garron, the longest serving member of the Board, who is known for choosing his words carefully.

“Not everyone’s perfect,” replied Clawson, later.

Not surprisingly, Clawson’s consent agreement was tabled for another day (June 22), but not before he had angered one of his neighbors so much that he stormed out of the room, and visibly irritating all members of the Board of Selectmen.

Earth Removal permit for Morse Brothers, Inc.

A representative from GAF engineering, Bill Madden, came before selectmen to present a proposed earth removal permit to the Board and to the public. The permit is being sought by the Morse Brothers, Inc. for their cranberry operation to the west of the West Monponsett pond.

The cranberry growers claim that in order to produce a greater yield, more air circulation is needed around their bogs, and that a particular hill also blocks morning sunlight on a particular area of bogs, which is necessary to remove dew and prevent rot, said Madden.

To mitigate this issue, Morse Brothers, Inc. would like to remove 41,600 cubic yards of earth from a hill in the center of the bogs.

This would result in 1,660 round (truck) trips from the bog at the end of Lingan Street 7/10 of a mile to Route 58.

But, the representative did not know where the dirt was going, although they have a contractor in mind. Without that knowledge, the town and Morse Brothers, Inc. cannot calculate a mutually agreeable limit on how many truck trips could be capped a day to minimize detrimental effects to neighbors.

Several abutters noted that Morse Brother’s, Inc. have been good neighbors in the past, so concerns were mostly of a practical nature.

But, they were concerned about the narrow nature of Lingan Street, vibrations that could damage their foundations or that of the street, and the sheer number of truck trips proposed, especially concerning those with young children.

Others wanted to make sure that there would be no effect on Monponsett Lake.

The hearing was continued until July 12, when more information can be presented and questions answered.

Upcoming dates:

• The Board of Selectmen will next meet on Wednesday June 22, at 6:30 p.m., Town Hall

Eminent Domain one vote closer: Carver’s “Urban Redevelopment” plans could take some Plympton back yards

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PLYMPTON– On Monday, June 13, Selectmen held an at times emotional meeting where many residents expressed further concerns regarding Carver’s “Urban Redevelopment” plans.

“Urban Redevelopment” appears to move ahead

At a meeting held in Carver the week before, without public comment, according to a video record of the meeting, the Carver Redevelopment Authority voted to move another step forward with its “urban redevelopment” plans, sparking renewed outrage from the public.

The project, affecting North Carver and Plympton abutters along the Plympton/Carver line in the area of Montello Street and Heather’s Path, near Route 44, would see a mixed-use development and even has plans for a hotel in the industrially zoned area.

To date, the plans appear to be preliminary at best, where the hotel is shown on a river that doesn’t exist, or there is no hotel at all on various iterations of the plans. Several residents from Carver or who are landowners in Carver but have Plympton addresses have had their properties threatened to be taken by eminent domain for the commercial development.

This had Plympton residents back before the Board Monday, begging them to do something. Despite the apparent unanimity of the Selectmen against the project, the Board has little authority to do anything but attempt to negotiate with Carver to mitigate the impact of the development on Plympton residents, which they vow to do.

“They said they are going to ‘move’ my well. Where to? My front yard is septic,” said Melissa Singletary, whose property may be one of the most affected if the project were to move forward. “They are going to take my whole back yard…I’m going to have to walk away from that house.”

The Board has said that they are going to meet with Carver selectmen to discuss the project, and as well look into asking Carver to mitigate the project so that it doesn’t become a cost to Plympton tax-payers– through traffic calming measures, or signage, or whatever they can come up with.

When asked if traffic mitigation would really solve the problem, Selectman Christine Joy said she didn’t know, but that they are going to try to work something out with Carver to help the affected Plympton residents.

(Lack of) Town House Security

Officials have given out too many keys to Town House, and the time to change the locks is here, say Selectmen.

The practice of giving out keys to whole committees or casually copying keys is now a relic of the past as security concerns over Town House are prompting the re-issuing of keys. No specific incident was mentioned, just a generally “loose” policy on who has keys.

In the future, only those who work in the building or chair a committee will be given keys that will be expected to be turned in at the end of a chair’s tenure on a committee or an employee’s work with the town.

The idea of a more modern card reader, such as one found at hotels, or an RFID card reader that one might find in a workplace, was floated. Dale Pleau, Town Coordinator, will look into the expense of such a system.

The advantage of such a system would be that keys could easily be deactivated without an employee or chairperson having to physically turn in the key, and that access can be logged on a computer.

The Board of Selectmen will next meet on Monday, June 20, at 6 p.m., Town House.

Silver Lake Class 0f 2016

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Graduates stand for the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Ashley Arroyo, Historian of the Class of  2016. The graduation was held outside on the stadium field.  Luck was with them as they had a gorgeous day.  The lawn was lined with family and friends watching and cheering for the graduates.  Many had umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. 

Halifax regional dispatch proposed

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Last week, June 1, Halifax Selectmen held an energetic hearing on remote dispatching for the Police and Fire Departments from the dispatch center in Duxbury, which handles Police and Fire emergency calls for both Duxbury and Plympton, and wishes to expand.

According to Selectman Kim Roy, contracting out dispatching to Duxbury would represent significant savings, in the realm of $175,000, if the talks proceed for the 5-year contract. She also noted that the state is encouraging towns to regionalize with grants and that the end “product” would be the same or even better.

Plympton had a very smooth transition to regional dispatch, according to Selectman Tom Millias, who works as the Building Inspector in Plympton. “It has been outstandingly run well,” he said according to the Police and Fire Chiefs in that town.

Some residents were concerned about the police station “going dark” because the dispatcher is at times the only person at the station in the evening when officers are patrolling, although there are very few walk-in emergencies a year, according to Police Chief Edward Broderick, and even then a dispatcher “following the rules” cannot let someone into the station past the lobby until an officer arrives.

There are plans to build a “safe-room” at the station, where someone could lock themselves inside, communicate with a remote dispatcher, and take shelter in an emergency until an officer arrives, said Chief Broderick, in the rare event someone needs refuge.

Broderick noted that might be safer than the current situation, where the lobby door is unlocked.

Another concern expressed is that dispatchers at a regional center might not be familiar with roads or landmarks in Halifax. Yet, already two Halifax dispatchers have been hired by Duxbury and if Halifax joins, there is a possibility that they might hire others. Roy also noted that when Halifax hires a new dispatcher, they have to learn the streets, too.

“If there’s a place for obscure streets, it’s Plympton,” said Millias to much laughter, referencing the smooth transition Plympton had to dispatching from Duxbury’s center. “I have trouble finding streets in Plympton.”

Both Roy and Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron stated that the board was obligated to look at this proposal because taxpayers are demanding efficiencies, and selectmen serve at the will of the townspeople.

The high-tech facility located on Tremont Street, in South Duxbury, is able to not only take 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate personnel and assets, but monitor their status in real-time. Video feeds from the schools and other town surveillance cameras allow them to give very specific details about an emergency to first-responders. Cameras from Plympton will be coming online shortly, and Halifax is demanding them upfront in their negotiations, according to Duxbury officials.

Selectmen have made it clear many times that they have not made up their minds yet on the issue, and that this is not a “done-deal”. They say they are working with the departments, not “looking down on them” and imposing a change.

“There is no good reason to do this if it is not something that the Police Department and the Fire Department are comfortable with,” said Roy. “There is no way we would give you a service that would harm you or your family.”

Kayaker’s body recovered Sunday

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HALIFAX– A man who drowned while boating at Silver Lake Friday, June 3, has been recovered and identified. Shi Hu, 28, of Boston, was found in the water shortly after noon, Sunday, June 5, by State Police divers, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

Local officials said that  at approximately 1:23 p.m., Friday, June 3, the Halifax Fire Department and the Halifax Police Department responded to a report that an individual had fallen into the water and was struggling offshore from the Brockton-owned water treatment facility located on Route 36, situated on Silver Lake straddling the Halifax/Pembroke line.

There were multiple witnesses to the incident, both from the water and shore, saying they believed the victim was fishing with a friend, according to officials. The friend was in a canoe, and the victim was in a kayak, which then overturned.

The friend attempted to reach the victim before he went underwater, but was unable to reach him in time. An investigation into how the drowning exactly occurred is ongoing. The victim was not believed to be wearing a life preserver, multiple sources say.

During the initial response, employees at the water treatment facility assisted firefighters by shuttling them on a facilities boat to the last known position of the victim. That initial search was not successful, at which time Halifax officials called for assistance from the State Police, Environmental Police and the Plymouth County Technical Response Team (Dive Unit).

More than a dozen Plymouth County communities responded, and scores of rescuers from local and state agencies were quickly on scene with specialized equipment, coordinated by Halifax Fire Chief Jason Vivieros.

Rescuers suspended the search on Friday evening, after a herculean effort to locate the missing boater with no success. By Saturday morning, the search and rescue mission had grimly turned into a recovery operation.

The State brought in a mobile command post and other assets to assist with the recovery efforts. Personnel from as far away as Rhode Island were seen and a staging area for divers was bustling with activity as firefighters, police, and others supported the efforts of divers in the lake from shore.

Advanced “side-scan” sonar was used to scour the lake bottom, along with cameras and other technologies, which had very low visibility, say sources. Sonar (sound navigation and ranging) uses sound waves to find and identify objects in the water. Side-scan sonar is a specialized system for detecting objects at the bottom of a body of water.

At around 11 a.m., Saturday, about a half-dozen family members of the victim arrived, and appeared to speak with various officials, who sources say updated them on the recovery efforts. They could be seen, visibly distraught, under a tent set up on a lawn near the mobile command post.

Local firefighters and police were seen comforting them and providing them with water and other amenities. The family members left after about two hours. Members of the press were politely asked to keep their distance, which they did, although distraught crying could be heard from hundreds of feet away.

On Sunday, the decedent was finally recovered, under gray skies and a light rain. Although State Police say they actually made the recovery, they did note that it was a “cooperative mission.” Within a couple of hours, almost everyone had left, leaving behind just a handful of law enforcement and fire officials.

Officials say they do not yet know how the man gained access to the lake (and if so, if it was via the treatment facility), although Halifax Police Chief Edward Broderick mentioned that Silver Lake is a popular fishing area, where fishing may be, “Tolerated…”, but, “not encouraged.”

Use of the lake is restricted because it is a component of the City of Brockton water supply. “No Trespassing” signs are widely visible around Silver Lake. Motor boats and swimming are strictly prohibited, but other restrictions Brockton puts on the lake were not specifically known.  Broderick could not say if the man was trespassing on the lake at the time of the incident.

The Plymouth County Tactical Response Unit, thanked all of the responding agencies. In a statement late Sunday evening, Chief Broderick on behalf of the Town of Halifax said, “Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of [the victim of] this tragedy.”

‘Traffic calming’considered: Plympton BOS bracing for Carver “redevelopment”; Memorial Day is not forgotten

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PLYMPTON– On Monday, June 6, the Plympton Board of Selectmen met and discussed just a few issues. Town Counsel Ilana Quirk was present to answer questions that the board had about a proposed “redevelopment” plan on the Plympton/Carver line that has concerned some Plympton residents who may abut the proposed industrial park. The board also approved a modified Memorial Day ceremony to be held on June 14, Flag Day.

Carver

“Redevelopment”

concerns heard

The board asked Town Counsel Ilana Quirk to come and speak with them about ideas she has for residents who are concerned about a proposed industrial park in Carver that if built, may negatively affect some Plympton residents and their property.

Although Carver’s plans are in the preliminary stages, they have mentioned taking land by eminent domain, and several Plympton residents near the proposed development have Plympton addresses but portions of their property lie in Carver.

Although eminent domain seems to be the topic that has upset Plympton residents the most, residents of Montello Street and Heather’s Path are also concerned about increased traffic that any development might cause in their area, and this was the focus of Town Counsel’s advice.

Quirk offered a variety of ideas. She focused on “traffic calming” measures that Plympton could unilaterally impose on streets under their jurisdiction, and possibly ask for Carver’s cooperation. This might be a speed bump, or simply in the way an intersection is designed, maybe a narrowing of the road, in order to send a message to drivers to slow down.

Physical barriers are illegal, according to Quirk– at least in the sense of blocking off traffic from one community to the other.

Signage could be used, she said in response to a question posed by Selectman John Traynor. Signs like “No Trucks” might be used to discourage traffic through Plympton, although Quirk noted that it then becomes an issue of enforcement.

Quirk also suggested that the state Department of Transportation, who has jurisdiction over Route 58, could be asked to consider putting in a light at the intersection of Montello Street and Route 58, although this is in Carver.

The board agreed that it was time to bring Highway Surveyor Jim Mulcahy before them to ask his advice on exactly who has jurisdiction over the roads in the area and any other ideas he may have.

Modified

Memorial Day

Due to safety concerns, Memorial Day ceremonies in Plympton were cancelled. That hasn’t stopped the Memorial Day committee from quickly coming up with a new plan to honor veterans and service members.

Selectmen approved that plan to hold a ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, Flag Day, at 6:30 p.m. on the Town Green. Although there will be no parade, a variety of activities have been scheduled, according to the committee.

There will be a reading of the names of Plympton’s fallen soldiers and veterans, pinning of Vietnam Veterans, essay readings of “What Memorial Day Means to Me” by Dennet School students, as well as recitations of “Flanders Fields” and “The Gettysburg Address”.

Participants are

still welcome

To participate, contact the Selectmen’s Assistant, Briggette Martins at Town House by phone at 781-585-2700 or by email at selectman.assistant@town.plympton.ma.us

Silver Lake HS Standout named Gatorade’s Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year

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In its 31st year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports,  announced Anthony Videtto of Silver Lake Regional High School as its 2015-16 Gatorade Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year.

Videtto is the first Gatorade Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year to be chosen from Silver Lake Regional High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Videtto as Massachusetts’s best high school baseball player, and now is a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year,

Videtto joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Roy Halladay (1994-95, Arvada West HS, Colo.), David Price (2003-04, Blackman HS, Tenn.), Chipper Jones (1989-90, Bolles School, Fla.), Derek Lee (1992-93, El Camino HS, Calif.) and Jon Lester (2001-02).

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior infielder, outfielder and right-handed pitcher had led Silver Lake Regional High to a  14-2 record at the time of his selection. Videtto produced a .458 average with four home runs and 14 RBI with the bat through 16 games.

The 2016 Patriot League MVP, he also posted a 2-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 26.

Videtto has maintained a 4.21 weighted GPA in the classroom. A member of the National Honor Society, he has volunteered locally on behalf of the Yawkey Family Inn and as a youth baseball coach.

”We have played against Silver Lake Regional High for the past two years and Anthony Videtto is the best player we have faced,” said Leo Duggan, Oliver Ames High head coach. “He played the infield against us and was awesome, taking away a couple of hits. At the plate, he had four hits and we had a hard time figuring out how to pitch to him.”

Videtto has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade high school sports leadership team in partnership with USA TODAY High School Sports, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Videtto joins recent Gatorade Massachusetts Baseball Players of the Year Joe Walsh (2014-15, Plymouth North High School), Joe Freiday (2013-14, Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School), Ben Bowden (2012-13, Lynn English High School), Rhett Wiseman (2011-12, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School), John Gorman (2010ñ11, Catholic Memorial School), Kevin Ziomek (2009-10, Amherst Regional High School), Kyle McKenzie (2008ñ09, Thayer Academy), Scott Weismann (2007-08, Acton-Boxborough High School), and Jack McGeary (2006-07, Roxbury Latin).

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit www.gatorade.com/poy.

Zika virus – what you need to know

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Express Correspondent

HALIFAX/PLYMPTON– State and local officials are warning Massachusetts residents about the Zika virus. The virus, making headlines nationally, is making its way north from South and Central America into US territories such as Puerto Rico and onto the US mainland in states such as New Jersey, Texas and Florida.

Zika is usually spread by certain types of mosquitoes. It is extremely unlikely that anyone could become infected with Zika from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts because the kinds of mosquitoes that are known to carry Zika are not found here, say officials. But travelers to zika-ridden parts of the world are warned.

At this time, only people traveling to places with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks or engaging in sexual activity with someone who has traveled to these places are at risk for getting the infection. If you or your partner is planning to travel, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends you check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices for information about where the Zika virus is occurring.

Most people– nearly 80%– who are exposed to Zika will not get sick. Those who do get sick may experience symptoms several days after infection that may include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Occasional immune system issues have occurred, rarely.

Although Zika virus is usually spread by mosquito, the virus can also be spread from a man to his partner during unprotected sexual contact and from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

Until more is known, pregnant women and couples trying to become pregnant should postpone travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing, according to the federal and state officials. Pregnant women should talk to their healthcare provider first and take great care to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. Further travel advice for pregnant women is available at this CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/zika-pregnancytravel.pdf.

If you are trying to become pregnant and have potentially been exposed to Zika through travel or sexual activity, the CDC has provided suggested time periods to wait before trying to become pregnant, generally 8 or more weeks after exposure.  You should consult with your healthcare provider for more information.

Recently, there is also concern that Zika could be transmitted through blood transfusions from an infected donor, as well as breast milk, urine and saliva but transmission potential from these sources is still being investigated.

Although Zika virus has been known to cause infection in people in Africa and Asia since the 1950’s, outbreaks of Zika infection have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands only more recently. During 2015, Zika virus was found in South America for the first time. Since then, it has spread to many countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean and some of the Pacific Islands, resulting in a very large outbreak of public health concern.