Brazil sends in 200,000 soldiers to stop the spread of the Zika virus

Brazil has sent more than 200,000 troops to go 'house to house' in the battle against Zika-carrying mosquitoes, blamed for causing a birth defect epidemic that is spreading rapidly across the world. Soldiers will visit homes across Brazil, distributing leaflets and dispensing advice, according to Health Minister Marcelo Castro, signalling a major ramping up of efforts against the Zika virus. The government, under growing pressure to deal with the crisis, will also hand out repellent to at least 400,000 pregnant women on social welfare. Read more: