More Cases Of The Zika Virus Confirmed In The U.S.

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland health officials confirm two more cases of the Zika virus in Maryland, bringing the total number to three. It comes as the CDC says nine pregnant women in the US tested positive for the virus---and what's more, two of them chose to have abortions.

Ava-joye Burnett has more on these latest cases.

State health officials say two more Marylanders contracted the disease after traveling to countries where the virus is running rampant, and that's the case for nine pregnant women in the US.

The Zika virus, once seen as a problem far away, is now affecting women in the US. Nine pregnant women contracted the mosquito-borne virus. In two cases, the babies are okay, but two women had miscarriages, two others decided to terminate their pregnancies and one baby was born with a small head and small brain.

It appears that pregnant women in their first trimester are the most vulnerable.

"What's clear is that of the six women who were infected in the first trimester, two had spontaneous miscarriages and at least two or three had infants who were severely affected by microcephaly," said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.

As the number of Zika cases go up around the United States, Maryland has also seen a spike. There are at least three cases here in the state.

"It's definitely a scary situation," said Jill Rupp.

For Rupp, a Baltimore County woman expecting her third child, more cases of Zika in the US and Maryland is something she can't ignore.

"Absolutely devastating. I mean, to get the news that you are pregnant---you are so excited, you are expecting a new baby, a new addition to your family, and then to hear that you've miscarried would just be devastating," Rupp said.

All the pregnant women who got the virus traveled to an affected region. Right now, the CDC is investigating an additional 10 cases of pregnant women who may have the virus.

The CDC recommends that men who recently visited a country with the virus use a latex condom or don't have sex with their pregnant partners.