Reckitt Benckiser pledges relief package to fight Zika outbreak

Reckitt Benckiser has announced a new package of relief measures aimed at helping people affected by the current Zika virus outbreak.

The $1 million (698,800 pounds) package consists of both cash and product donations, which will be made available to health authorities and international non-governmental organisations battling the outbreak.

It includes personal insect repellents and insecticides from the company's SBP, Mortein and Repelex brands, with one million Durex condoms also set to be made available to curb the spread of the virus.

The mosquito-borne condition is associated with fever, rashes and joint swelling, but has also recently been linked with birth abnormalities when pregnant women are infected.

Rakesh Kapoor, chief executive of Reckitt Benckiser, said: "I would call on other businesses to join the movement by offering their own unique areas of expertise and resources to help those at risk of Zika infection."

The company achieved a better-than-expected rate of financial growth in 2015, with revenues up by five percent for the year.