Rio 2016 organisers say the Games will go on, despite the Zika virus outbreak sweeping the region (4th February).

Organisers of the 2016 Rio Olympics have maintained that the games should still go ahead as planned, despite calls for it to be cancelled due to the outbreak of the Zika virus sweeping Brazil.

Brazil's first case of Zika was recorded in the middle of last year and has quickly spread across Brazil and to more than 20 countries across the region, the Caribbean and beyond.

This week the World Health Organisation declared an international emergency, putting the spotlight firmly on the Rio Olympics once again.

Organisers of the 2016 games have been swamped with numerous concerns from athlete safety to financial problems.

Mario Andrada, a spokesperson for Rio 2016, assured journalists on Thursday that the games would go ahead.

SOUNDBITE (English) Mario Andrada, Rio 2016 spokesperson:

"Nothing has changed beyond the fact that we have worked with the local authorities to increase inspections and to oversee all the venues in search of stagnant waters and the possible presence of the mosquito. We have sufficient funds to perform this work."

The games are still due to take place between the 5th-21st of August.