Kenya planning on track for Rio Olympics; No Zika boycott

Workers holds a flag that reads in portugues "Out Zika" as part of a campaign to warn people about the spread of the Zika virus during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Workers holds a flag that reads in portugues "Out Zika" as part of a campaign to warn people about the spread of the Zika virus during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

By Associated Press February 9, 2016 3 min read

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Kenya is preparing as planned for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics while also monitoring the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, the official in charge of the country’s team said Tuesday.

Team chief Stephen Arap Soi denied reports that Kenya was threatening to pull out of the Olympics if the mosquito-borne virus was not contained, telling The Associated Press it was “too early” to talk about not going to the games, which are six months away.

“We assure all we are preparing for Rio 2016 as planned,” Soi said.

Kenya’s Olympic committee also released a statement later Tuesday saying it had “not made any decision specifically on the issue of (the) Zika virus.”

Brazil is experiencing an outbreak of the Zika virus, which is spreading rapidly through Latin America and has been linked to birth defects. Pregnant women have been urged to avoid travel to affected areas.