More than 2 lakhs soldiers have been deployed across the country to warn people about the risks of the Zika virus. Brazil is at the centre of an outbreak of the virus, which has been linked to a surge in babies being born with underdeveloped brains. The country has 462 confirmed cases of microcephaly and is investigating another 3,852 suspected cases. President Dilma Rousseff said the crisis would not compromise the Olympics Brazil is hosting in August. But critics have said the move would not helping reduce mosquito numbers or stop the spread of Zika.
Zika virus: Women told to delay pregnancy for two years in Colombia
Colombia, government has called on women to delay pregnancy for six to eight months because of the Zika virus outbreak. According to the Colombian National Institute of Health, the outbreak has affected 26,542 people and 5,013 pregnant women.
The Zika virus is transmitted through sex and by mosquitoes in the daytime. It can survive in semen for more than 60 days after infection. It does not cause serious complications in adults, but is suspected of leading to severe brain defects and microcephaly cases in newborn children. According to official statements, Colombia is believed to have up to 6,000 cases of the virus just in 2016. World researchers are still struggling to develop a vaccine or treatment as the Zika virus has run amuck.