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3 Pregnant Women Test Positive For Zika In Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (right) holds a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the at the Hillsborough County Health Department after his decision to declare a state of emergency in five counties affected by the Zika virus. Scott explains his plan moving forward and the risk of pregnant women contracting the virus. (Zack Wittman/The Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (right) holds a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the at the Hillsborough County Health Department after his decision to declare a state of emergency in five counties affected by the Zika virus. Scott explains his plan moving forward and the risk of pregnant women contracting the virus. (Zack Wittman/The Tampa Bay Times via AP)

MIAMI — Health officials say three pregnant women have tested positive for the Zika virus in Florida.

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.

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.

Michael is an editor who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.