Zika fears grow in U.S. as 10 more cases appear in Florida

Another 10 cases of Zika virus were announced in Florida on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the Sunshine State up to 14 and exacerbating concerns about the mosquito-borne illness' arrival to the U.S. The newest cases were contracted from infected mosquitoes in the same one-square-mile area, just north of downtown Miami, where four other cases were announced Friday.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to "activate" an emergency response team and issue a travel advisory urging women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant to avoid unnecessary travel to the affected region.

At this time, health officials believe active transmission of Zika is contained to that one area. Still, this marks the first time the virus, which is tied to severe birth defects, has been transmitted by mosquitoes within the continental U.S.; this current epidemic has been plaguing Central America, South America, and the Caribbean since 2015.

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