Three Confirmed Cases of Zika Virus in New York City, One Is Pregnant

The Zika virus has made its way to New York.

New York City health officials have confirmed that three New Yorkers have contracted the Zika virus. All three were working in countries that experienced a Zika outbreak and had recently returned to the U.S.

One of those confirmed cases is a pregnant woman.

The news comes on top of an announcement by WHO Director General Margaret Chan who said Zika has gone “from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.” Marcos Espinal, a WHO infectious disease expert, was the one who made the estimate.

WHO is estimating that 3 to 4 million people could be infected with the disease, but gave no time frame.

Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes, causes fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. However, it means serious problems for pregnant women and their unborn babies. The concern is that Zika virus is causing a growing number of cases of microcephaly, a rare condition in which infants are born with underdeveloped heads and brains.

Women in areas experiencing outbreaks are being urged to postpone pregnancy.