. >> pregnant women are being tive zika virus outbreaks. there have been no reported cases in our state. local physicians are on alert. dr. allen mask is here. how our local health officials responding to this thread? >> we spoke sterday that doctors say they are aggressively monitoring the virus. since we have a lot of people traveling to the affected areas, like brazil, which has the highest number of ported cases. our state lab is coordinating zika virus testing with the cdc atlanta. this assumes in north carolina including myself received a memo from the state on babies, management, and reporting of potential zika virus fection. this memo advises healthcare providers on blood testing of asymptomatic women who have traveled to areas with ongoing zika virus transmission. collection of ood specimens. zika virus is a mosquito borne virus which has caused a large outbreak in brazil and has been causing outbreaks including central america, the caribbean and her countries. the biggest worries about pregnant women giving birth to babies with bi

it is looking like it is associated with the zika virus infection as a post virus infection. the big difference is the microcephaly. i would like to talk about, based on what we know today is likely to happen over the next coming weeks and months. i want to talk about what we are doing to protect americans. first, we will discover more each and every day. i will show you later in the day, some new data that was released within the last hour. we will learn about maternal to child transmission, about cofactors, including other factors that may increase or decrease a woman's likelihood of having the infection transmitted to her fetus. we will learn about the relationship with microcephaly from studies we are doing with partners in brazil, colombia and other places. we will develop better diagnostics. currently, we can diagnose the active zika infection. we can find it in their blood. if it is a couple weeks or couple months later, figuring out if they had zika is very complex. cdc scientists have worked for years to develop tests for that. we have a test but it is one that can h

. >>> the zika virus continues to spread in the last. cdc administrators share their fear about how the virus is redding. and what they hope will limit the numbers. >>> also, three deadly accidents at one skydiving facility. investigators believe this third incident could be a sign of a larger problem with the company. >>> plus, a love story 70 years in the making. a couple who hasn't seen each other since the fall of [null] germany finally embrace once again. >>> i can't wait to hear that story. our weather story is one of cold temperatures. we take a look at what's happening across durham. that sunshine looks nice but thicken later this afternoon. i've been blind since birth. i go through periods where it's hard to sleep at night, and stay awake during the day. learn about non-24 by calling 844-844-2424. >>> the number of zika virus cases is on the rise. as don champion reports, overnight health officials confirmed some 66 cases in americans who have traveled to affected countries. >> reporter: the mosquito borne zika virus even caught

it is looking like it is associated with the zika virus infection as a post virus infection. the big difference is the microcephaly. i would like to talk about, based on what we know today is likely to happen over the next coming weeks and months. i want to talk about what we are doing to protect americans. first, we will discover more each and every day. i will show you later in the day, some new data that was released within the last hour. we will learn about child to child transmission, about cofactors, including other factors that may increase or decrease a woman's likelihood of having the infection transmitted to her fetus. we will learn about the relationship with microcephaly from studies we are doing with partners and purcell, colombia and other places. we will develop better diagnostics. currently, we can diagnose the active zika infection. we can find it in their blood. if it is a couple weeks or couple months later, figuring out if they had zika is very complex. cdc scientists have worked for years to develop tests for that. we have a test but it is one that can ha

polk county health department yesterday and talked to them about their education process on the zika virus. they tolthat they are allocating extra resources to educate as many before they leave. they work on things basic education of the virus. like spotting the symptoms and prevention. they say they see clients everyday who have questions. for the most part,... those clients are familiar with the risks for pregnant women but the biggest areas to teach travels in polk county is the virus. 'so we have seen, that zika can be transmitted when you have sex. so if your partner, if you are a male and having sex with a woman, you should use protection. because it can be transferred that way. for example, if child or have a child you should use protection.' they recommend that if you traveling stop by there office and speak with a profession... also, you can visits the c-d-c's website where they update all the information. coming, up in the half hour, we will talk about the potential for this zika virus to be like ebola. will it be something we forget about in a year. questions- josh, is the vika

infectious diseases for years, there is nothing new how communities the adapt and respond to the zika virus. florida already has programs in place to respond to the aedes aegypti virus. accurately diagnosing those who fall ill. >> to me it's getting back to the diagnostics, trying to get a perfect diagnosis on every patient everywhere in the world. >> business as usual, officials have no plans to implement any special measures to combat the zika virus. but say it's people who will make the biggest difference. >> we are appealing to the public to homeowners to property owners to do their job. they are called to play a major role right now in preventing the disease gets established in our county, by eliminating every single accumulation of water around home. >> as yet there are no federal guidelines in response to a potential outbreak of the zika virus in florida. that may change as the weather gets warmer but officials say its education programs and the public's role that will be most crucial. andy gallagher, al jazeera, miami, florida. >> about 20 cases have been reported in priek wit in pu

none of our confirmed cases of active zika virus involve pregnant women. have, however, identified three pregnant women who traveled to countries affected by zika and who likely had zika virus in those countries, and to return without any symptoms. they have evidence of remote infection and we are applying cdc guidelines to ensure these women receive care through their health professionals consistent with those guidelines. we've had 29 cases in 11 florida counties that we currently have a laboratory capacity to conduct over 4800 viral tests for active zika and over 1200 antibody tests to detect past zika infection. we have been conducting approximate 300 test the weekend reported positive results were partners and the public do. recognize that the increase of cover related cases of zika in florida, february 1 governor greg scott requested a briefing with the cdc. on that call we confirmed that the. >> translator: mosquito is, in florida and are links with a zika and newborn microcephaly as well as adult neurologic disorders including trying 12 -- guillain-

for seek doe zika virus, 80% dow signs. it will be a challenge to monitor how well the disease is spreading throughout the island. >> let's talk about why it's so important to keep an eye on pregnant women who have contracted the zika virus. there is an outcome that creates small or deformed heads in babies because of the virus. it's just a terrible be situation for anyone who is pregnant that has it, so health officials are making sure that they're on top of that very early on and they're going to make sure that anyone who is pregnant really is monitored 24 hours a day until they figure out exactly what to do. remember, there's no vaccine or cure for this virus. >> just so we're clear on this and viewers are clear, my understanding what health initials have been saying is there is a suspected link between birth defects in children and the virus. it's not a proven link just yet, is that correct? >> correct. that's correct. suspected link. exactly, yes. >> so tell me more about this meeting in geneva today. what can we expec

>> well, the zika virus is spread by mosquitos. it's a mosquito-born virus.s first identified in africa. however, it's only been in the past year that we've seen an explosive increase in the number of infections, especially in the western hemisphere. >> what changed? >> so, it's unknown really exactly what changed. it has been introduced in the western hemisphere because the zika virus follows the mosquito. it's spread by the bite of a mosquito. and so as the mosquito's geographic range increases, as the mosquito starts to penetrate south america, central america, the caribbean, then the virus will follow it. >> so the fact that it's spread by mosquitos is one way. does that make it harder or easier to contain than, say, ebola? >> in some ways, it makes it much more difficult to contain. because whereas with ebola, primarily the method of transmission was human-to-human. an infected person would get infected by someone else. we could institute public health measures and isolate patients and sort of keep them away, sick patients from those who are healthy. wit

today we are conducting a hearing on the zika virus and we are looking at the coordination of them alle agency responds to that virus. very pleased to have everyone join us today. the order of this list will be as follows. we will have opening statements and i should also mention ms. duckworth is here and other members are joining us and we will then hear from our witnesses and from the witnesses we will hear your testimony and then we will go into questions. that will be the order of business so without objection the chair is authorized to declare recess at any time and i will start with my opening statement and then i will yield. again i want to thank everyone for attending. there are probably some people that didn't want us to hold this hearing but i think it's very necessary that we do conduct it. the zika virus is probably one of the more difficult health challenges the nation and the world have faced probably since the bali -- ebola crisis and unlike that particular crisis we have very good news to report in this hearing and the purpose of the hearing is also to hear from some of

the zika virus is the focus of tonight's ask the doctor segment. the mosquito-born virus can be devastating for pregnant women - and their unborn babies. if you have questions, infectious disease expert - dr. trudy larson - who's also the director of nevada's school of community health sciences - is taking your "you're watching channel 2 news... with kristen remington, landon miller, and mike alger's pinpoint two forecast!" congress doesn't regulate wall street... wall street regulates congress. it's a rigged economy that sends most new wealth to the top 1%. and it's held in place by a corrupt political system where wall street banks and billionaires buy elections. my campaign is funded by over two and a half million small contributions. people who know you can't level the playing field by taking more money from wall street. join the fight to take back our government. tonight in health watch... the zika virus doesn't seem to be dampening the mood at carnival celebrations in brazil. more than a million people partied in the streets of rio - plus, oth

aware that the zika virus is carried by a different mosquito. we have expertise, mapping expertise in entomology that can be brought to bear also in the sfons to zika. third, usaid will help insure that women in affected countries will have access to health care and support. training of health care workers to provide advice. providing support for pregnant women. including helping them access repellent to protect against mosquitos and insuring access to family planning as we heard from mr. duncan. this will be important to have information, to have services, to have commodities, to have methods. as well as the care of the affected newborns. i know that chairman smith has always had a concern for the newborn. finally, innovation. we can take steps to spur development of new tools and other innovations to enhance our response and prevent future outbreaks. and the baseline of research that nih leads is significant. our partners at nih and cdc are supporting this critical research already. we need to better understand the virus and the relationship wi

and the link between the explosion of zika virus infections and birth defects is not completely tied down. some countries have told women, don't get pregnant for a while. will that work, and if it's already too late will this virus open a new conversation about abortion and contraception in a partly of the world where that is still an open question? a pregnant pause, it's the "inside story." >> welcome to "inside story." i'm ray suarez. the emergence, the explosion really of the zika virus in latin america and its steady march to the united states is a straight-ahead medical story, sure. but its also a story about the decisions human beings have to make in real time, sometimes in the absence of complete information. in response to the possible link between zika infection and microcephaly, what can you do if you are early in a pregnancy or contemplating getting pregnant in a country that's turning up morens by the day? terminating your pregnancy would be crime in many countries in latin america and the cri carib. prenatal care spotty and unavailable and there's no court of appeal, no c

so the zika virus virtually unknown until the first reported case was on easter island in february 2014. it's now exploded in the region with cases of 26 countries, territories and the world health organization projecting zika will likely spread almost to every single country in the americas. while symptoms for the majority of people who contract zika are quite mild, the disturbing potential links of zika causing microcephaly in unborn babies and gbs syndrome has created panic around the region. last month brazil having reported over 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly potentially linked to zika as of october 2015. although further investigation is confirmed microcephaly in just 400 of the suspected 4,000 cases and only 17 in which tested positive for sdzika, concerns remain very real for those living in the conditions. also reported an increase in gbs cases potentially connected to zika. just last week colombia confirmed the first three deaths of patients infected with zika. in may of 2015 pan american health organization issued an alert regarding the first confirmed zika case in bra

none of our confirmed cases of active zika virus involve pregnant women. we have, however, identified three pregnant women, who traveled to countries affected by zika and who likely had zika virus in those countries, and who have returned without any symptoms. they have evidence of remote infection with zika, and we are applying cdc guidelines to ensure that these women receive care through their health professionals consistent with those guidelines. we currently have the laboratory capacity to conduct over 4,800 viral tests for active zika and over 1200 antibody tests to it detect past zika infections. we've been conducting 300 tests per week and reporting positive results to our partners and the public daily. recognizing the increase of travel-related cases of zika in florida, governor rick scott requested a briefing with the cdc on the zika virus. we confirmed that the mosquito, the carrier, is common in florida and that there are potential links between zika and newborn microcephaly as well as adult disorders including gill an barr syndrome. -- and abou

the c-d-c says about one in 5 people infected with zika virus become ill. the most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis or (red eyes). other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. deaths are rare. there is no vaccine or medication available to prevent or treat zika the c-d-c says about one in 5 people infected with zika virus become ill. the most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis or (red eyes). other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. deaths are rare. there is no vaccine or medication available to infections. the c-d-c says about one in 5 people infected with zika virus become ill. the most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis or (red eyes). other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. deaths are rare. there is no vaccine or medicati

later, the zika virus. an expert on the virus and how the u.s. and the world is responding to this deadly illness. you are listening to "washington journal." we are back in a moment. ♪ >> a whole different campaign now. we have basically moved beyond the early primary caucus states and now we are in super tuesday. 12 states, voters in each of these states will have a defining impact on who the democrats and republicans nominate. a different phase of the campaign because we have moved some retail campaigning, that one-on-one and now we are campaigning and 12 states where the candidates are going from airport to airport to appeal to as many voters as possible and make last-minute pitches. advertising is key, organization is key, but it has moved to a different level of the campaign where the candidates hope voters know who they are. what the candidates have to do is convince voters including those undecided that that is the person they should vote for. since this network began, one of the hallmarks has been the ability for people to call in, ask qu

more on the zika virus and questions about whether quarantining zika patients is a good idea. with spring coming a lot more mosquitos are going to start buzzing around the backyards. we were just alarmed over west nile virus over the past years. now zika. what do we do. >> it is a mild virus, 80% of the time, no symptoms. 20% of the time, mild flu like symptoms. absolutely no reason to quarantine people with this. 808% you don't know whether they have. it's spread by mosquitos most of the time. quarantining would be a huge waste of resources. a vaccine is years away. we have got to get the nih working on that. if we use insecticide and larvaside and we get rid of still water, we have got to get rid of the mosquitos, and rid them from brazil as well. that will get rid of the disease, if we get rid of the carrier. >> public authorities do deal with mosquitos in the public standing waters, and swamps. >> this will not be a huge problem in the u.s. because we are air-conditioning. we are going to be indoor. and this is mostly in very poor neighborhoods in south america where there

zika virus doesn't have that capacity. he worst case scenario is we get zika transferred in florida, for example, the texas, mexico border, with dengay thrives. i don't see it thriving in places where the mosquito doesn't live. >> could ongoing climate change change what you just said as a prediction in >> the temperature -- temperature has a weird variation with mosquitos. sometimes it increases their rank, but also decreases their flight range and decreases their life range. so it's hard to make a one for one with temperature rises and diseases like this. >> the world has long been stocked by debilitated and deadly diseases spread by mosquitos. so why don't we pay more attention to the mosquitos. zika, a virus on the move. stay with us. it's "inside story." >> even though we're in here, we're still human. >> how harsh conditions affect people on both sides of the bars. >> why did scott take his own life? >> the jail. >> some people might be scared to speak out but i'm not. i'm telling the truth. ♪ >> welcome back to "insi

they have similarities to zika virus.here are scientists here, that their outreach and footprint around the world will be incredibly valuable they believe to producing and getting the zika virus up and running off the ground -- a zika vaccine, rather, up and running quickly. i spoke to the head of global research. this is what he told me. >> there is a great sense of urgency. the w.h.o. has declared an emergency, so we they'd to move as quickly as possible. we've got technology in house. we have capabilities and infrastructure that's been established around our dengue vaccine and our viruses, so we really hope to significantly reduce that time line and cut years off the typical amount of time that it takes to develop a vaccine. >> reporter: we're talking several years rather than a decade. >> that's correct. >> reporter: but what really worries him is the rapid spread of this virus. he believes that as many as 2.3 billion people around the world could potentially be exposed to the zika virus in the future because that's h

cases. >> the virus is known to cause birth defects. this is the first case of zika in the carolinas. wbtv's pamela escobar spoke with health officials today. and she is live with more. pamela, do we know how this patient contracted the virus? >> yeah, maureen public health officials are saying the person who got the zika virus got it while they were traveling. they are not revealing a ton of information about this person but what we know is that they went to the doctor and the doctor suspect to do could be the virus and made sure the proper testing was done. the zika virus is affecting the virus can cause birth defects so women who are pregnant are encouraged to speak to their doctor before traveling to south america, central america or the carribbean. the person who had zika virus in north carolina traveled to one of those areas. >> we do not have a concern that this one person would cause zika to be spread in north carolina. even if we have a few of the competent mosquitoes you need to have a concentration of people and mosquitoes to sustain transmission. >> the d

next at 4:00 concerns over the zika virus are growing. next which insect repellants were most effective at fighting the mosquitoes that carry zika. >> hello to lynda, appreciate you liking us on facebook. are you the facebook fan of the day. we encourage everyone to log on to facebook. lots of great stuff on there. wbtv.com/facebook is the place to go. >> it's all love. >> here are the closing numbers from wall street as we head to break. on wbtv news is sponsored by... >> the cdc's command center is at the highest alert level in response to the zika virus. >> it's spreading rapidly. and consumer reports recently tested 15 insect repellants on the market. brave testers stuck their arms into a cage of 200 disease-free mosquitoes. >> the repellant most effective against the mosquito with the zika virus contained 20% and 25% deet. >> your editor there says repellants with 100% deet are no more effective at fighting zika and carry troubling side effects but products with natural ingredients were not effective either. >> the zika virus has been

@. @>> the zika virus can be trance @acted sexually and @also through blood trance @fusion. @the red cross is holding blood @donated from patients @of people who just traveled to @a zika area. @so if someone traveled to a @zika zone, the red cross @will not accept the blood, at @least for 28 days. @>> reporter: so what we do @know is pregnant women @need to be aware of this, and @women who are thinking @about becoming pregnant. @what do they need to be aware @of, and what are you @doing for them? @. @>> so women who are pregnant or @thinking of getting @pregnant that just came back @from an area where the @zika virus infection is ongoing @should contact their @primary care provider or the @obstetrician. @the cdc has guidance for what @should be done for @such patients. @to a zika area @should actually get screened @for the zika virus. @>> reporter: and if you're @traveling to one of @those areas, how do you prevent @this? @how do you protect yourself? @>> reporter: the cdc @recommendation is that all @-- people hoping to get @pregnant should not travel, @postpone travel arran

leon: back with new developments on the zika virus outbreak. two new cases reported in nebraska. that makes more than 50 cases in 14 states and the district. as zika becomes a bigger problem in the u.s., c.d.c. is issuing new recommendations for those traveling from infected areas. men with pregnant partners are asking to use protection during sex and they suggest pregnant women who don't have symptoms still be tested for two to 12 weeks. one fairfax woman we met who is pregnant still plans to travel to south america. cheryl conner caught up with her to talk about why this woman made the decision to still go. cheryl: she is teaching her 15-month-old son vietnamese and english. she is a worldly traveler and this weekend he and his parents will land in argentina. it looks like a family of three. but another boy is due this summer. >> it came that we solidified our plans to go to argentina. before any of that news came about. cheryl: the news that the zika virus has been transmitted in several countries including argentina's neighbor brazil. she asked her doctor was okay. >> she was

that can detect zika virus in the blood, but it's not government approved in brazil or in the united states where about 21 million units are transfused each year. >> we keep the virus here frozen. >> reporter: researchers rafael franka has been studying in brazil. >> we have the machines and the technology to do. this we need to make sure we have solid results. >> reporter: there's nothing really stopping you from testing every blood transfusion for the presence of zika virus? >> yeah, true. we just don't have enough time actually. >> reporter: if mosquitoes in the u.s. get infected, travel bans alone would not be an effective screening method. that happen, testing donor blood for the preds accident of zika virus would be considered. >> pelley: jon lapook in brazil for us tonight. john, thank you. now, five days before the new hampshire primary, a poll out this evening shows donald trump leading marco rubio by 11 points. that's a seven-point improvement for rubio, putting him ahead of ted cruz. trump is looking for a comeback and major garrett is there. >> reporter: donald trump is le

the zika virus is spreading through north america. they'll be allowed into the facility to see the work done to combat the zika virus. officials don't expect large outbreaks here in the u.s. -- they went from the proposed budget cuts that the senators fought to avoid to now requesting $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight the zika virus. we'll be on hand for this tour this afternoon. here on cbs 4 at 6:00 and 10:00. live in denver, jaime leary, cbs 4 morning news. >>> let get to your weather with lauren whitney. how about the bus top? >> temperatures in the mid-to low 30s. above freezing, so mild and a few clouds. not a bad start. >>> we have a couple of spots in cold spot. one at jersey and another one on the right side at tower road. that is partially blocking off a lane. watch out for that. if you're about to get in your car, turn on koa news and get your traffic and cbs 4 weather together. >>> thanks, joel. the fun after,, ,, ,, ,, ,, (donkey sound) (elephant sound) there's a big difference between making noise, (tapping soun

"the zika virus has been around since the 1940's " "one i` five people who are infected with the zika virus will l t sick. the other fofo people won't get sick. " still medical associates o'donnell says the reports of infected pregnant women in brazil having babies who have small heads, is worrying exexctant moms here at home. "patients are definitely calling. it's all over the news. it's all over the newspaper and magazines. so a lot of our patients are calling with concerns. " doctor o'donnell recommends her patients follow the current cdc guidelines. "women who are pregnant or who are thinking of becoming pregnant, should not travel to those infected countries. " and while doctors say the current risk here in iowa is extremely low, both medical providers say pregnant women need to be mindful of the risks. "i think the cdc is right in heightening the awareness. if you're a pregnant mom, you want to know your risk. if you're going to these areas that are zika infested. " as for murphy, she'll stay close to home and worry about other things. "that they baby continues to have a strong

there is no vaccine for the zika virus. that is why today, in geneva, the p.h.o. is meeting to talk about whether or not they want to ramp up the escalation or call this an international emergency, a global response. they have been criticized in the past for not doing things like this fast enough in 2014 with ebola crisis that killed 11,000 people but now are expected to convene tomorrow, again, and we'll see what they say about the progress here moving forward with the zika virus. but there is a potential for up to 4 million people to contract zika virus in the north american territory by the end of this year alone. robert ray, al jazeera, san juan, puerto rico. >>> there are still a lot of questions about the zika virus. 8% of people don't know they have it. symptoms include five, rash, joint point or muscle pain. there have been people getting sick because of blood transfusions or sexual conduct. there are no vaccines to prevent or treat it. doctors say get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water. tylenol can be taken to help with pain. >>> the cloud hanging over

@mosquito bites, essentially the @primary way the zika virus is @spread. @but the people who study @infectious disease are under no @uncertain words urging @travelers to rethink their @trips, especially pregnant @women or those even thinking @about getting pregnant. @>> i'm not surprised. @we're really a plane ride away @from it. @>> reporter: metro health @medical center's dr. hanrahan @is metro health's director for @infection control. @the cdc's warning that ohioans @traveling to affected areas @should use mosquito repellent @properly and cover up as much @as possible. @even better, says the cdc, try @to postpone travel to zika- @infected areas like south @america, the caribbean, and @singapore. @>> i think that really makes @the most sense. @>> reporter: especially @pregnant women, as zika virus @for the developing brain. @doesn't matter how far along @unprotected partners who have @recently been to south america @and singapore puts you at risk @for zika virus. @>> it's sexually transmitted, @because it's present in semen @condoms for the duration of t

new fears over the zika virus. govenor scott declaring health emergency in miami-dade county and orange areas across the state. good evening everybody. hell oath officials believe a mosquito biert is not the only way to contract this virus. that's right. a handful of cases have been confirmed in south florida and so far four counties including miami-dade are under a public health emergency. >> 7's liz nagy live in the health department in miami with the top story. liz. >> lirntion zika virus has hell oath fiction shalz in florida and all around the world on hell aj lemplet today the govenor declared a public hedge emergency here in the state of florida even thoughll cases in the state do not believe they were contracted ntd united states but ty believe they traffing in latin america and ca the caribbean. >> the mosquito born descree ca virus has people talking and wednesday govenor scott declared a state of 34-7b8g forour count tiedt tease including mied miesmed the three other counties are hillsborough. lee and sa

. >>> in other news, the zika virus which health officials are calling a growing health crisis is hitting home. we're learning about three cases in our area. it means that zika has now popped up in pennsylvania, delaware and new jersey. matt delucia live at philadelphia international airport. matt, people are second guessing their overseas travel plans, aren't they? >> that's right, tracy and vai. what happened with these three recent cases, two in pennsylvania, one in delaware, the women arrived back in the states with the virus and officials right now, they're only saying these women travelled to areas affected by the outbreak. the pennsylvania secretary of health says that the cases here do not pose any threat to the public. the zika virus is transmitted by mosquitos. it is mostly happening in soj and central america but now we are seeing these cases pop up here in the u.s. because of people traveling over there. a doctor specializing in infectious disease tells us that it's theoretically possible that come summertime, our local mosquitos could spread the virus but the chances are mini

some weather delays today at philadelphia international airport, back to you. >> outbreaks of the zika virusnuing to become major concern now in the delaware valley. >> three people diagnosed with this virus in our area. steve keeley now live in center sit which more, steve, good morning. >> no surprise, list every states is growing, in fact, people in all 50 states, to come back from various countries, with zika virus, so locally we had two women in pennsylvania, one in delaware, you pick up your morning usa today, real about people in ohio, tennessee, and indianna. so the list is growing. in ohio they said there was 30 year old woman in cleveland, here not getting any information from the three cases so they could be from the other side of pennsylvania, on bradford and pit burying, we just don't know. and that is thanks to all of the state health privacy laws right now. we don't even know what countries they traveled from before likely arriving at the local airport with something else besides their luggage, the zika virus. >> outbreak of the various caring by mosquitos, health secretary sa

you may not be able to detect the zika virus correctly. it is highly specific. porter: meanwhile, in countries like columbia, they are distributed tens of thousands of condoms to prevent pregnancies. the virus has been linked to thousands of cases of birth defect and brain damage in south america. brent: the top court in australia has given the ok to a controversial policy of asylum-seekers offshore. they are shipping them to a camp of a small pacific island that is legal, a verdict clearing the way for the deportation of hundreds of refugees, including many children, to the island. human rights activists say conditions there are inhumane and dangerous. >> we are not criminal. reporter: australia has been shipping people for more than a decade. originally called the pacific solution, in 2001, australian authorities began intercepting both of refugees and sending them back in the direction they came or detaining people in camps, such as on islands. by keeping people off the shores of australia, they can handle these cases outside of australia law. the policy has b

there's nothing new in how to respond to the zika virus. there are programs in place to combat the mosquito that spreads these viruses. a real difference can be made by improving living conditions globally and ago rately diagnosing those. >> the faster the better, but to me it's getting back to the basics, dying months particulars, basic data, basic science on what is transmitting, trying to get a perfect diagnosis on every patient, everywhere in the world >> reporter: at miami's mosquito control center it is business as usual. there are no plans to implement any special measures to combat the zika virus but say it is people who will make the biggest difference >> translation: we are appealing to the property owners to do their job. they are called to play a major role right now in preventing the disease to be established in our county by eliminating every single accumulation of water around the home. >> reporter: as yet there are no federal guidelines in response to a potential outbreak of the zika virus in florida. the education program a

could that person still be carrying the zika virus and could she pass it on to her child? >> that is a good question which we don't have an answer for. for ebola you can find the virus nine months or ten months after the first infection. >> if you have the war, you don't just send the soldiers. you send the entire team, the army, the navy. everything. >> reporter: the director of the medical research center here is optimistic that the virus's proximity to dengue, for which they recently discovered a vaccine, could speed up the process. >> people start working right now and perhaps due to the fact that we know many things against dengue, we could use it for zika. perhaps in the near future we will have candidates of a zika vaccine. >> reporter: as researchers work around the clock to unravel the mysteries of this virus, they admit there are more questions than answers. they cannot, for example, confirm or rule out that the virus could be sexually transmitted through semen or that children could suffer brain lee jobs if they become infected. more time for research is needed.

parts of florida are now under a state of emergency, as new cases of the zika virus pop up across the u.s. nine people have been diagnosed with the virus in four counties across florida. doctors believe those cases were contracted abroad. florida gun wants his state to be prepared. >> miami has long been known as the gateway to the americas and borne out by the international airport. every day 40,000 passengers arrive from or go to latin america and the caribbean. it makes florida vulnerable. some of florida's most senior politicians voids their concerns that miami international airport may not be able to cope with the zika virus. experts we spoke to say getting back to basics may help the most. >> almost all experts expect locally transmitted cases at some point in the united states. >> the university of miami has been studying infectious diseases for years. there is nothing new in how communities can adapt and respond to the zika virus. florida already has programs in place to battle the mosquito that spreads dengue fever, chickengunya and the zika virus. he says improving positions

the zika virus is transmitted mostly by mosquitos. is happening in south and central america but now we're seeing these cases pop up here in the u.s. and people who have traveled to those areas. a doctor specializing in infectious disease says it is likely that this virus will eventually show up in all 50 states but the risk of spreading it from person to person is very minimal. we talked with a local woman who just came back from cancun. she's 13 weeks pregnant and says she focused on precautions. >> if you're still planning on going, i would still go. if not, i understand but make sure you take bug spray. there's different kinds you recommend you bring with you. that's definitely a positive thing to look out for. >> reporter: meantime, president barack obama is asking congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to respond to the zika virus outbreak. and the delaware department of health, later on today they are expected to talk more about their first case of the zika virus showing up in their state. the department says

the zika virus is in central florida. a person who got the mosquito borne illness somewhere else, the state is dealing with 14 cases of the virus. osceola county is joining other counties, santa rosa, hillsborough, lee, miami dade, broward and st. john's. keith landry is live in osceola county with the latest. >> reporter: health privacy laws prevent health department officials here in osceola county from really telling us a whole lot about this patient who has the zika virus here. we do know is that the patient did not acquire the virus in the state of florida. scientists are studying mosquitoes to learn more about the zika virus and its possible impact on unborn babies as more cases turn up in florida. osceola county is now the sixth county in our state with the zika virus case. the first one in our area. there are now 14 known patients in florida. >> you are very concerned because you don't know exactly what it is, the disease. >> people in brazil have been worried about the zika virus for the last few months as more >

as the zika virus continues to happening now... as the zika virus continues to spread... airports are changing policies to reduce risks for travelers. dblbx our sara celi joins us live from c-v-g to explain. two major u.s. airlines say they are allowing staff members to opt out of flights to latin america and the caribbean amid escalating concerns over the spread of the zika virus and its effects on unborn united ual said wednesday that it was giving pregnant flight attendants the option of withdrawing from assignments to countries affected by the mosquito- borne virus, which has been linked to babies being born with abnormally small heads.the cdc has advised pregnant women to consider postponing travel "to any area where zika virus transmission is ongoing." many airlines have already offered refunds to customers who have booked flights to countries affected by the virus, for which there is currently no viable vaccine. vo kara cam now let's take a look at some of the stories coming up now let's take a look at some of the stories coming up new for you at 6:30... kara gfx s

doctors in dubuque say pregnant women are zika virus. medical associates obstetrician erika o'donnell says in brazil, the virus has been linked to a serious birth defect. that's called microcephaly, and it causes small heads in babies of infected mothers. o'donnell urges pregnant women to follow the c-d-c recommendations. "patients who are pregnant and have gone to an affected country, it's now recommended that they get tested when they come back, even if they did not have symptoms. " medical providers tell us the zika virus is not a mandatory reportable illness, lili the mumps or influenza. finley hospital in dubuque now has a new birthing simulator to help in educating staff members. the families of long-time finley nurses, beth hoefer and mary riegler, donated the noelle birthing simulator. it shows the birthing heart sounds, and a removable abdominal cover. it so prepares nurses for any complications that might come up during a delivery. "we can simulate decreased heart rate which happens all the time. and the nurses have to go throu

soon play a role in the fight against the zika virus. the lab expects to begin testing in the near future. right now the centers for disease control is the only organization approved to test for the virus, but state labs are preparing to help. zika virus is linked to birth defects ininrazil, which causes babibi to be born with smaller than normal heads. today, florida's governor declared a health emergency in four counties after people traveled to other countrs and contracted it. yesterday health officials confirmed a person in texas contracted it through sex. kcrg-tv9's iowa city bureau chiefark carlson could play in the fight against zika. "we've had people contacting us, oh my gosh, should i go here? well i can't tell you go, or don't go, you've already scheduled your vacation or trips and stuff, i think people are very concerned because something like this is very new and we don't know much about it. " at the state hygienic laboratory on the university of iowa's oakdale campus in coralvle -- officials say they're closely watching the