Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has declared war on mosquitoes responsible for spreading the Zika virus in a recorded TV message to the nation.
She said a national mobilization day would be held on Saturday, during which thousands of soldiers and state employees would work to eradicate the insects in homes and offices.
In her address, Ms Rousseff said that substantial federal resources were being released to fight Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, because it was a fight that “cannot be lost”.
The president also said that she wanted especially to send a “comforting message” to mothers and future mothers that the authorities will do absolutely everything in their reach to protect them and to offer support to the children affected by microcephaly and their families.
