Zika Virus: 'Scarier Than We Initially Thought'

The threat from the Zika virus to the United States is scarier than officials first thought.

The Zika virus has swept across Latin America and the Caribbean and experts are concerned that the virus could become a problem in the United States.

"While we absolutely hope we don't see widespread local transmission in the continental U.S., we need the states to be ready for that," warned Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Zika virus was first believed to only cause mild symptoms. However, neurologists are now suggesting the virus has been linked to fetal brain defects and rare neurological problems in adults.

Pregnant women in South America who were infected with the virus had stillbirths, miscarriages, and other complications throughout their pregnancies.

Infected adults occasionally suffered paralysis and brain inflammation. 

President Barack Obama is trying to secure about $1.9 billion to help fight the Zika virus internationally and to prepare for it in the United States. Meanwhile, the administration said it would use $589 million left over from the Ebola virus.

That "is not enough for us to get the job done," Dr. Anthony Dauci, with the National Institutes of Health, told the Associated Press . "It's just a temporary stopgap."

Although experts do not believe there will be a widespread sweep of the Zika virus across the nation, they urge citizens to be ready and safe.

The CDC warns women against traveling to Zika-affected areas. Citizens should use mosquito repellant and take extra steps to avoid being bitten by the insects.