233 Confirmed Zika Cases in NYC, Number Will Rise

What to Know

  • The mosquito-borne virus is causing an epidemic in the Caribbean and Latin America
  • It may cause birth defects in pregnant women
  • As more NYers travel to the afflicted regions over the summer, the number of local cases are expected to rise

A public health official says there are currently 233 confirmed Zika cases in New York City, a number that will likely rise in the coming months.

Health Commissioner Mary Bassett says Wednesday more than half of the cases were detected in people who recently arrived from the Dominican Republic.

She says another 20 were detected in people arriving from Puerto Rico and 14 others from those who had visited Guyana.

Bassett told reporters in a conference call the number will rise as more people travel this summer to the Caribbean and Latin America.

The mosquito-borne virus is causing an epidemic in those regions. It may cause birth defects in pregnant women.

Bassett urged pregnant women as well as couples planning to conceive to delay travel to Zika-affected areas.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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