Mexico says 11 pregnant women infected with Zika

The Illinois Department of Public Health said there are now five confirmed cases in the state.

MIAMI (AP) – Health officials say a fourth pregnant woman has tested positive for the Zika virus in Florida.

The general illness caused by Zika is typically gone within a week and carries common symptoms of: fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis.

Brazil has been the hardest hit country by the mosquito-borne virus, with 1,5 million cases of active Zika transmission. “It is a case with these particularities in how the sickness was transmitted, which was through sex”, said Francisco Fortuna, Cordoba City Health Minister.

While yet scientifically proven, it’s suspected that pregnant women infected with the Zika virus are giving birth to babies afflicted with microcephaly – that is, babies with unusually small heads who may suffer brain damage as a result.

Six of the infected women acquired Zika during their first trimester, the CDC reported.

The department said anyone who was feeling unwell after visiting a country known to have Zika or dengue outbreaks needed to visit their GP as soon as possible.

While the link between Zika and the birth defect has not been confirmed, the possibility has prompted health officials to take cautionary steps to protect fetuses.

Nationally, health officials issued a new travel advisory for pregnant women who want to attend the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

The individual is female, in her 20s, and was in an area where Zika transmission is happening. In Mexico, there are at least 11 confirmed cases of Zika virus.

For updates and other resources specific to Zika visitSRHD’s site, DOH’s site or CDC’s site.

Approximately 80 percent of those infected never show any symptoms of the disease, while approximately 20 percent will have only mild symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control is studying all the ways Zika may be spread.

Previously it had encouraged expectant mothers to reconsider such travel because of the potential harm the virus might pose to babies in the womb.

The unidentified women traveled to the Caribbean or South America, where the virus is spreading.