Top golfer Rory Mcllroy and Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic will not be taking part in the Rio Olympics. They have pulled out of the Olympics because of the mosquito borne disease. A lot of athletes may not take part in this year’s Olympics for the fear of catching the Zika Virus. The Zika Virus is not harmful to most people and is just a mild infection. However this virus is prevalent in the Rio area and a number as high as 26, 000 are estimated to be infected by the virus.

The Zika Virus is spread by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. However the virus can also be sexually transmitted. The prevalence of the virus has led to the birth of children with unusually small heads. This is called microcephaly. The Zika virus is also a danger to anyone because it can cause a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome. This disorder causes paralysis.

However the government of Brazil announced that the chances of catching the Zika virus during the Olympics are the same as winning the lottery. During the games they will be a very small probability of catching the Zika virus. It will be less than 0,00001. The deadly virus however has increased the concerns of athletes, spectators and visitors going to Rio.