The city's health department is warning the public Thursday about the dangers of contracting the Zika virus. 

Urban Health Center officials say they started a campaign with hopes to help reduce the spread of the Zika virus. They say their main message is to advise women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or think they may be pregnant to avoid traveling to Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Health officials say contracting Zika is still a worldwide problem. The most common symptoms being a fever and rash. 

In New York City, officials say 402 females have tested positive for the virus. They say in all the cases the women got the virus by traveling to Zika-prone countries.

Officials say the mosquito-borne virus carries lifelong effects. They say the virus can also be transmitted sexually and are urging couples to use condoms. 

Anyone who has traveled to any of these counties should talk to their doctor.