14 New Cases Of Zika Virus Possibly Transmitted Through Sex

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As students get ready to take off for spring break, Maryland health officials are issuing a warning over the rapidly spreading Zika virus.

It comes as the CDC investigates 14 new cases in the U.S. -- possibly transmitted through sex.

Ava-joye Burnett with the concern.

Mosquitoes were once thought to be the only culprits in the Zika virus, but now the CDC is investigating the possibility of 14 new cases transmitted through sex.

To complicate matters even more, lots of students are getting ready to travel abroad for spring break.

"That's probably going to spread quickly and then bring it back to universities and kids who didn't even go on spring break or anything might get infected as well," said Manashi Sinha, college student.

Zika is a problem, especially for pregnant women whose babies could be born with small heads.

And even more worrisome...

"Zika is a virus that typically does not have symptoms. Up to 80 percent of the individuals who acquire Zika are asymptomatic," said Dr. Howard Haft, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Once you return from that tropical destination, everyone needs to take extra precautions--women and men.

Pregnant women should not have sex, or their partners should use a latex condom if they recently traveled to a country with the virus.

As for spring breakers, they're being urged to use insect repellent to fend off the bugs.

"That's really scary because I have gone on vacation and gotten mosquito bites and you have to be careful, and you don't want to bring it back," said Caroline Barada, Loyola University student.

The 14 cases that are now being investigated as possible sexual transmissions involve at least two pregnant women.

There are at least 82 cases of the virus in the U.S.

Maryland has one confirmed case so far.