The United Nations on Friday urged countries hit by the Zika virus, believed to be linked to serious birth defects, to allow women to access contraception and abortion.

The UN human rights office said the South American countries now urging women to hold off getting pregnant over Zika fears, had to offer them the possibility of controlling their reproduction.

"How can they ask these women not to become pregnant, but not offer... the possibility to stop their pregnancies?" spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly told reporters. Many of the countries involved have very restrictive abortion and contraceptive laws.