A leading Brazilian health research institute says it has discovered the presence of active Zika virus in urine and saliva samples.

Paulo Gadelha said the virus's ability to infect other people through the two body fluids requires further study, but the discovery calls for special precautions for pregnant women.

Brazilian researchers have pointed to a suspected link between pregnant women's infection with the virus and a rare birth defect in babies.

Mr Gadelha, speaking at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, said the discovery does not yet merit any additional health recommendation.

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