Tomas Berdych won't take part in Olympic Games because of.. Zika Virus.
Is the Virus such a big problem in Brazil?
Rumors say Simona Halep also won't play.
Actually the Zika virus has existed for about 30 yrs in Brazil. On the general healthy population, the known symptoms are very minor. The risk is mostly for pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant around that time as the fetus would not be able to fight the virus and have severe problems like microcephaly (tiny head), mental retardation, etc. And in early pregnancy, it may cause miscarriages. So I don't think Berdych or Halep should worry much unless they are both pregnant But there have been some claims that a certain insecticide that was used to kill the mosquitoes had side effects that are similar to the symptoms of Zika virus infection.
I would be more worried about the unstable political and social situation there instead. Plus with all the terrorist attacks everywhere in the world and Brazil's security totally unprepared, it is scary. And the toxic waters too...hope nobody falls into the water.
And Vika Azarenka