Brazil mobilises troops in fight against mosquito virus

Brazil will mobilise 220,000 troops in the battle against the mosquito blamed for spreading a virus linked to birth defects, the country’s health minister said.

Marcelo Castro said nearly 220,000 members of Brazil’s armed forces will go door-to-door to help in mosquito eradication efforts, according to Rio de Janeiro’s O Globo newspaper.

It also quoted Mr Castro as saying the government would distribute mosquito repellent to some 400,000 pregnant women who receive cash-transfer benefits.