OLYMPIC athletes are taking drastic measures to protect themselves from Zika - covering their beds with nets to keep out mosquitoes which spread the virus.

One image doing the rounds on social media is of a Chinese gymnast who can be seen lying on her tent enclosed bed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

3 OLYMPIC athletes are taking drastic measures to protect themselves from Zika - covering their beds with nets to keep out mosquitoes which spread the virus. One image doing the rounds on social media is of a Chinese gymnast who can be seen lying on her tent enclosed bed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Credit: Twitter

The virus, which can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly in pregnant women, is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito and has now reached epidemic levels in the country.

Also making sure they aren't exposed are the South Korean Olympic team, who are wearing Zika proof outfits and have spray to ward off bugs inside.

Some of the athletes are also wearing long trousers and long -sleeve shirts and jackets, despite the temperatures being over 80 degrees.

3 Also making sure they aren't exposed are the South Korean Olympic team, who are wearing Zika proof outfits and have spray to ward off bugs inside. Some of the athletes are also wearing long trousers and long -sleeve shirts and jackets, despite the temperatures being over 80 degrees Credit: Getty Images

The Australian team also made sure they were protected with long sleeves, but these were stolen during an evacuation from their building.

Australian Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said: “When I arrived midway through the evacuation, I saw three fire (marshals) walking out with our team shirts.

related stories Pokemon No Go Olympic athletes voice their anger that there's no Pokemon Go in Rio this month LET THE GAMES BEGIN Five things you need to know about Rio Olympics as Games come to South America for the first time Bolt fault World's fastest man Usain Bolt has never run a mile... and here's why you could beat him over that distance FEET UP FRIDAY Only 55 Team GB athletes expected to march at the Games opening ceremony with medals more important SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER London 2012 treble gold 'Super Saturday' is Britain's favourite Games memory of all time

“I should take back ‘fire marshals’ — I don’t know who they were. They were not team members.”

the threat of the virus has seen some competitors pull out of the sports tournament.

Pro golfers Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have all pulled out of the Olympics due to health fears.

3 The Australian team also made sure they were protected with long sleeves, but these were stolen during an evacuation from their building Credit: Facebook

Day said in a statement in June: “The sole reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family.

“I have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life.”