ZIKA VIRUS: More than 3,100 pregnant women infected

Crisis: Thousands of pregnant women have been infected with the Zika virus

The Colombian government has confirmed more than 3,100 pregnant women have been infected with the deadly Zika virus.

Authorities in the country confirmed earlier this week that three people have died after contracting the virus.

It is feared the virus is being spread by mosquitoes.

Colombia has more than 20,500 confirmed cases of Zika infection to date.

The virus has been linked to the spread of a birth defect which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads.

Fears: Health experts believe mosquitoes may be spreading the virus

The virus has been linked to multiple birth defects including microcephaly - or shrunken skulls.

Brazil has been hit hardest with nearly 4,000 cases so far and the virus has spread to more than 30 countries.

Treatment: Six young babies with microcephaly and their parents wait to see medics in Brazil

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos said there are 25,645 people infected with the disease in the country.

He warned during a TV broadcast the country may face having to deal with around 600,000 infected patients.

He said: "The projection is that we could end up having 600,000 cases."

An estimated 80 percent of those infected with Zika show no symptoms, and those that do have a mild illness, with a fever, rash and red eyes.