The News
Tuesday 23 of April 2024

In NYC, 49 Pregnant Women Have Zika, One Baby Born with Defect


Evaristo Miqueli, a natural resources officer with Broward County Mosquito Control, takes water samples decanted from a watering jug, checking for the presence of mosquito larvae, Tuesday, June 28, 2016, in Pembroke Pines, Florida,photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
Evaristo Miqueli, a natural resources officer with Broward County Mosquito Control, takes water samples decanted from a watering jug, checking for the presence of mosquito larvae, Tuesday, June 28, 2016, in Pembroke Pines, Florida,photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
New York City has committed $21 million to keep New Yorkers from getting Zika

NEW YORK — Officials say 49 pregnant women have tested positive for Zika in New York City since April, and one baby has been born with microcephaly due to the mosquito-borne virus.

Overall, more than 3,400 at-risk pregnant women have been tested under the city’s Zika action plan.

Officials say most people who tested positive in the nation’s largest city were infected while traveling to Zika-affected areas, with a small minority getting it via sexual transmission.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that the city has committed $21 million to protect New Yorkers from Zika. He and other politicians, including fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, called on Congress to approve $1.9 billion in emergency funding.

Federal health officials say there have been 420 Zika cases in New York City.