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The Northern Irishman, who is at number three in the world
rankings, had said last month that he would be monitoring the
situation in Brazil and suggested the dangers of contracting
Zika could affect his decision to play.
Zika, which is carried by mosquitoes, is spreading rapidly in
the Americas, according to the World Health Organization, but
McIlroy said the advice he received had eased his fears.
"I feel like the advice I've sought out over the past 10 days
has put my mind at ease," the golfer told British media.
"It makes me more comfortable going down there knowing that,
even if I do contract Zika, it's not the end of the world. It
takes six months to pass through your system and you're fine."
Former world number ones Adam Scott and Vijay Singh, and fellow
major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, are among
those who have already announced that they will skip this
summer's global sports showpiece in Rio de Janeiro.
The Zika threat and scheduling conflicts could see other players
follow suit, with U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett among
those saying he would keep an eye on the situation.
The Rio Olympics take place from Aug. 5-21.
(Reporting by Ian Rodricks in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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