Martyn Rooney believes the threat of the Zika virus means Olympic competitors will have to think twice about taking family to Rio this summer.

Rooney, who captained the Great Britain athletics team at the World Championships in Beijing last summer, will be attempting to win selection in the individual 400 metres and 4x400m relay for the summer Games.

But he could make the trip without his family - wife Kate, who is a former British pole vaulter, and their son Jack - after expressing concern about the spread of the virus.

The World Health Organisation has declared an international emergency over the virus, which is linked to birth defects in Brazil and the Americas and spread by bites from mosquitoes.

European 400m champion Rooney told the Daily Telegraph: "I definitely think for my wife and my son, it would have a large impact on the decision on whether they come out or not.

"My wife is planning to come but if it's not a safe place to be then I wouldn't want to put her in harm's way."

He added: "If the World Health Organisation is putting out a global warning then that's a pretty dangerous place and it's probably quite irresponsible to bring your family there."

The Olympics runs from August 5 to 21, and is followed by the Paralympics from September 7 to 18, with many thousands of competitors and spectators due to travel to Brazil from countries across the world.

Rooney, 28, said: "I'm sure that if there's somebody in a similar position to me who has got a young family or is planning to start a family, it would have a major influence on what they're doing."

Like Rooney, modern pentathlete Samantha Murray is hoping to compete at the Olympics.

The 26-year-old, who won silver for Great Britain at London 2012, admits there is a fear factor but is confident the British Olympic Association will not put athletes at risk.

Murray told BBC Sport: "It is scary and daunting when looking at the news.

"It puts fear in everyone but as an athlete you get used to travelling around the world where you are at risk of infection. We have been assured by experts and Team GB and BOA that everything is being done to prepare the team.

"I have a chance at a second Olympics and I believe in the team around me and the medical team."