Kenya has said that it could pull out of  the summer olympics to be held in Rio Brazil, if the Zika virus in Brazil reaches epidemic levels. This was said by the the head of Kenya’s Olympic committee, Kipchoge Keino.The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in South America is being linked to severe birth defects which include abnormally small heads in new born babies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) last week declared the virus a global public health emergency and that people have to take precaustion to prevent the spread of the virus. Kipchoge Keino said that, their committee was not going to risk taking its participants to Brazil if the Zika virus reaches epidemic levels as the safety of their people was key.Brazilian authorities insist that there will be no risk to athletes and spectators, but could not give the same guarantee for pregnant women, when the Rio Games take place in August. The International Olympic Committee says it is in close contact with organizers, and that  Olympic venues will be inspected daily in the lead-up to and during the Games.

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