World

Zika-linked condition: Rio Olympics 'to go ahead' despite virus

February 2, 2016 4:14 am

There is no chance that the Rio Olympics will be cancelled because of a Zika virus outbreak, Brazil has said.

The authorities said there was no risk to athletes and spectators – except pregnant women – at the August event.

Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned a disease linked to Zika posed a global public health emergency requiring a united response.

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The infection has been linked to cases of microcephaly, in which babies are born with underdeveloped brains.

Experts are worried that the mosquito-borne virus in Latin America is spreading far and fast, with devastating consequences.