Researchers: Zika virus may increase risk of mental illness
Reaction from Dr. Susan Donelan, assistant professor of infectious diseases
Florida health officials said Wednesday that three pregnant women in the state had tested positive for the Zika virus.
Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong announced the cases Wednesday in his daily Zika update. A news release says all three cases are believed to be travel-related. Officials weren't identifying the counties where the pregnant women were diagnosed.
In response to the news, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he had requested 250 more Zika antibody tests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Zika is rapidly spreading through Latin America, and scientists are studying the virus' possible connection to babies born with unusually small heads. The birth defect called microcephaly can signal underlying brain damage.
A total of 32 cases have now been reported in Florida. Miami-Dade County leads the state with 11 reported cases. All the cases so far have been travel-related, but the virus can be spread by bites from mosquitoes that are common in Florida.
Florida health officials told the Miami Herald that only three of the 32 confirmed cases are still showing symptoms of the virus. Those symptoms include a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes and can last between a few days and one week.
There is no vaccine agaisnt the virus, which remains in a person's bloodstream for between 10 days and two weeks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.