Brazilian health institute says discovered Zika in saliva, urine

Researcher Myrna Bonaldo (R), the President of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Paulo Gadelha (C) and Wilson Savino (L), Director of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute attend a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 5, 2016. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Scientists identified the Zika virus in the saliva and urine of two infected patients, a top Brazilian biomedical research institution said on Friday, prompting its president to urge pregnant women not to kiss strangers just as local carnival celebrations begin.

The discovery added to the rising concern over Zika, which is spreading rapidly in the Americans and has been linked to thousands of severe birth defects in Brazil.