DOH confirms 3 new Zika cases in PH; total rises to 12

In this Feb. 24, 2016 photo, Aedes aegypti mosquitos are bred for Zika related testing at the dengue lab run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  AP

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday confirmed three new reported cases of Zika virus in the Philippines, according to a report by Radyo Inquirer.

The DOH said the new cases, which brought the total of local transmission to 12, were recorded in Iloilo City.

READ: 6 new Zika virus cases confirmed in PH

Of the 12 cases, the health department said, eight patients were female, including a 22-year-old woman from Cebu who is 19 weeks pregnant with her first child.

The DOH said patients affected by Zika range from 9 to 55 years old.

Previously reported cases of Zika in the country were also recorded in Iloilo and Cebu City. YG/rga