Zika Outbreak Won't Compromise The Olympics: Brazil President Dilma Rousseff

Brazil has been most affected by the Zika outbreak, with 1.5 million people infected since early 2015. As soldiers went door-to-door to share key tips on how to stem the Zika virus, President Dilma Rousseff said, "Brazil's Zika virus outbreak won't compromise the Olympics the country will be hosting in August 2016."

Rousseff further added, "The situation does not compromise the Olympics. We are confident that until the Olympics begin we will have considerable success in exterminating the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the virus."

Zika Fever - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

‘Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff vowed that the Zika outbreak won't compromise the Olympics. She said that the government was confident about exterminating the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the virus.’

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Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Olympics August 5 to 21, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world.

Rousseff spoke to reporters after visiting two houses in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro as part of a national awareness campaign to stop the virus from spreading.

Early Saturday, some 220,000 soldiers fanned out across the vast South American country, knocking on doors to pass out brochures.

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Colombia has been hit hardest by the Zika outbreak of any country except Brazil, with more than 20,000 cases, including more than 2,000 pregnant women.

While it causes only mild symptoms in most people, Zika has been linked to a rapid rise in the number of children born with microcephaly - abnormally small heads and brains - to mothers infected during pregnancy.

Warning that pregnant women were especially at risk, Rousseff urged all Brazilians to come together. She said, "The war depends on us. The government is taking the lead but that alone won't win the war. We need to get everyone involved."

Brazil Army to Go 'House to House' in Battle Against Zika
Zika virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, in which babies born to women infected during pregnancy have abnormally small heads.

Troops will visit three million homes to make people aware that many mosquito breeding areas are found in homes. For example, mosquito larvae can live in standing water in flower pots.

There is currently no cure or vaccine for Zika.

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US health authorities have urged people to use condoms or refrain from sex if they live in or have traveled to areas where the Zika virus is circulating.

Source-AFP