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“Almost Zero” Risk of Catching Zika During Olympics
Rio de Janeiro – Ricardo Barros, new health minister in Brazil, continues to convince tourists and athletes that contracting the Zika virus during the 2016 Olympics is “almost zero”.
“We are here to put at ease the minds of all residents and tourists coming to the games,” Barros said.
According to him, the Cambridge University conducted a study that concluded that there is a low chance any of the 500,000 expected tourists will catch the virus.
150 scientists and doctors posted an open letter last month arguing that the Olympics be postponed or moved.
“We don’t consider the hypotheses of postponing the games. There is no scientific basis that recommends that kind of decision,” Barros said when asked if there is a risk the World Health Organization could recommend to postpone the Olympics.
A handful of athletes expressed their concern as well. Some also backed out of competing.
Barros defended their stance in saying that the Olympics will be held during Brazil’s winter, the time where the mosquito Aegis Aegypti that carries the virus tend to die off.
Latest statistics show that the number of Zika cases in Brazil have fallen by 87%, says Barros.
The Brazilian Health Ministry has confirmed 1,489 cases of Zika-related defects since the virus was first detected. There are over 3,000 cases still undergoing investigation.
The WHO advises that pregnant women avoid places with reported Zika existence and that people who came from those area practice safe sex for at least eight weeks.
Amidst disagreement within the community, the WHO has downplayed the risks of the Olympics starting an epidemic.
“Cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus,” the WHO said in a statement. “Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes. People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of disease is to follow public health travel advice.”
