The Arizona Department of Health is now considering the mosquito-borne Zika virus in people who exhibit similar symptoms and have traveled to affected countries like those in Central and South America. 

Zika virus is spread by the aedes mosquito, the same insect that carries dengue and chikungunya. Zika, however is considered to be the less painful cousin to those viruses. Symptoms can include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. But a sudden outbreak of Zika in Brazil is causing alarm after more than 2,700 babies were diagnosed with microcephaly, a condition in which a baby is born with a significantly smaller head.

"There isn’t confirmation the Zika infections in mothers are directly related to the birth defects in children, but there is a correlation in the increased number of Zika cases in that country, as well as an increase in birth defects," said Jessica Rigler who is with the DHS.

According to the department of health, Zika was first detected in Brazil last May. To date there have been no cases in Arizona. Though, there have been confirmed cases of dengue and chikunguna.