Puerto Rico authorities report 249 confirmed Zika cases

Puerto Rico's health authorities are reporting that the Zika virus continues its spread across the U.S. commonwealth with an additional 48 cases confirmed this week.

Health Secretary Ana Rius said Friday three of the new cases are pregnant women and six people are hospitalized after contracting the virus. One patient is recovering from a paralyzing condition that has been linked to Zika known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. The island now has 249 confirmed Zika cases involving 24 pregnant women on the island.

Rius said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the insecticide Deltametrina as the most effective against the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the virus and called on the public to eliminate breeding grounds in their communities. The CDC has requested at least $225 million in federal funds to fight Zika in Puerto Rico.