Brazil says there is no chance that the Rio Olympics will be cancelled because of a Zika virus outbreak. The authorities say there is no risk to athletes and spectators – except pregnant women – attending the August event.

President of Brazil Dilma has authorised health and sanitary inspectors to use force if necessary to gain access to private buildings, as part of the government’s efforts to eradicate breeding grounds for mosquitoes – especially stagnant waters.

Inspectors are now able to call in the police if necessary, and more than 200,000 troops have been deployed to make such inspections. Yesterday Director General of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan warned a disease linked to Zika poses a global public health emergency requiring a united response.

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.