The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico after 10,690 cases of Zika virus were reported. The total number of cases included 1,035 pregnant women. The department of health of the commonwealth revealed the complexities in two of the reported cases, which led to the death of the patients, while 90 had to be hospitalized.

On Friday, officials suggested actual number of Zika cases were higher than the reported cases since several people being affected by Zika virus do not display any symptoms of the infection and therefore do not seek any consultation or tests. According to a statement released by HHS, the ongoing spread of the virus is putting public health in severe danger in the Commonwealth, especially for pregnant women and the children to be born to these women.

The declaration of health emergency will give authority to Puerto Rico for the utilization of additional federal resources instrumental in combating the epidemic. "As the first virus that can be transmitted by mosquitoes known to cause severe birth defects, we are working closely with Puerto Rican officials to pursue solutions to fight the virus in Puerto Rico”, said Sylvia Burwell, the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.

Zika is responsible for resulting in microcephaly and other serious fetal brain defects in newly-born children. The virus has also been known to cause other negative outcomes of pregnancy, like miscarriage and stillbirth, along with severe neurological concerns. In June, a caution was released for Puerto Rico by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the Commonwealth could be witnessing dozens of cases of microcephaly in babies in the coming months.

According to a report in USA TODAY by Liz Szabo, "The Obama administration Friday declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico due to the Zika virus, which has infected at least 10,690 people. Among them are
1,035 pregnant women, who bear the greatest risk from the infection."

Although Zika is normally a mild illness, causing no symptoms in 80% of patients, 90 people have been hospitalized due to the virus and 30 have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, which develops when the immune system attacks the body's nerves, causing paralysis.

"The threat of Zika to future generations of Puerto Ricans is evident, and I feel a responsibility to do everything that is within my reach to make sure we fight the spread of the virus," Padilla said. "This is why we are actively looking for alternatives to prevent the number of infections from increasing."

A report published in Seattle Times informed, "Clearly, few members of Congress know what this is all about. Otherwise, how could they have possibly gone on vacation without appropriating the funds begged for by those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?"

Doctors at the Atlanta-based CDC are worried. They say without a massive eradication of mosquitoes, treatment and speeded-up research, the virus will spread quickly. They asked for $1.8 billion. The U. S. Senate cut that request to $1.1 billion, but House Republicans adjourned for the summer without appropriating a penny.

Millions of Americans who want to cut government spending and government regulations should think about Zika. Without central government direction and funding, Zika could become this generation's yellow fever. And the longer it takes for a program to be implemented, the more risk there is.