Brazil mobilizes thousands of troops to battle Zika virus
Brazilian officials have said the Zika virus has been linked to a large number of cases of microcephaly, a rare birth defect, and the number of reports has risen to 3,893 since authorities began investigating the surge in cases in October. The country will mobilize some 220,000 troops to battle the mosquito blamed for spreading the virus. Inspectors have already started to spray insecticide around Sambadrome, the outdoor grounds where thousands of dancers and musicians will parade during the city's Feb. 5-10 Carnival celebrations and where the archery competitions will take place during the Rio Olympics.
Municipal workers wait before spraying insecticide at Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Estafany Perreira holds her nephew David Henrique Ferreira, 5 months, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil.Mario Tama/Getty Images
A municipal worker stands next to a banner that reads, "Rio Carnival 2016" before spraying insecticide at Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Pilar Olivares/Reuters
A health worker pours insecticide into his tank sprayer, during an operation to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus, at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Leo Correa/The Associated Press
Brazilian Army soldiers walk while canvassing a neighborhood in an attempt to eradicate the larvae of the mosquito which causes the Zika virus, while informing the public of preventive methods, in Recife, Brazil.Mario Tama/Getty Images
A health worker sprays insecticide to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus under the bleachers of the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Leo Correa/The Associated Press
Mylene Helena Ferreira holds her son David Henrique Ferreira, 5 months, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil.Mario Tama/Getty Images
A municipal agent sprays anti Zika mosquitos chimical product at the sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Christophe Simon/AFP / Getty Images
A Brazilian Army soldier makes a note inspecting a home while canvassing a neighborhood in an attempt to eradicate the larvae of the mosquito which causes the Zika virus, while informing the public of preventive methods, in Recife, Brazil.Mario Tama/Getty Images
A municipal agent sprays anti Zika mosquitos chimical product at the sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Christophe Simon/AFP / Getty Images