Athletes from the United States and Kenya are considering pulling out of the 2016 Olympics slated to be held in Rio de Janiero in August because of the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, according to reports. Reuters reported that the United States Olympic Committee has told sports federations that athletes and staff who were concerned about their health should consider not going to Brazil. However, NBC News later reported that the USOC had denied such claims.

The BBC also quoted the head of Kenya's Olympic committee, Kipchoge Keino, saying, "We are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels." Other countries are also tracking the developments in South America. British athletes are being guided about the virus outbreak ahead of travelling to Brazil, while the Australian Olympic Committee has advised pregnant athletes against travelling to Brazil. The World Health Organisation has already declared the Zika outbreak a "public health emergency".