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3 Pregnant Women Test Positive for Zika Virus in Florida

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Three pregnant women in Florida have contracted the Zika virus when traveling outside of the state, bringing Florida’s total of confirmed cases to 32.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed the new cases Wednesday, but declined to identify where the women live or where they were traveling “out of respect of the privacy of these women,” the Miami Herald reports.

Health officials have already declared a public health emergency in the state for the 11 counties with confirmed cases of Zika, according to the Herald. All 32 reported cases of Zika virus in Florida were acquired outside of the state.

Pregnant women are particularly affected by Zika virus, which has spread through South America, as it can cause microcephaly, a condition where a newborn’s head is smaller than normal.

 

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