Zika crisis: WHO rejects move to postpone Rio Olympics

Rio-de-Janeiro-Olympic-Stad
The Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the track and field events of the Summer Games. Image Source: storify.com

Internet Desk: The World Health Organization (WHO) has rejected a call to move or postpone this summer’s Rio Olympic Games over the Zika outbreak.

According to WHO the postponement will “not significantly alter” the spread of the virus, which is linked to serious birth defects.

An open letter signed by 150 international doctors, scientists and researchers has urged the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to be moved or delayed due to the Zika virus.
To press on with the Games in Rio, the second most affected city in Brazil by the ongoing Zika crisis, would be “irresponsible” and “unethical,” the letter argued yesterday.
“Our greater concern is for global health. The Brazilian strain of Zika virus harms health in ways that science has not observed before,” said the letter, signed by experts in the United States, Britain, Canada, Norway, the Philippines, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and Lebanon among others.
“An unnecessary risk is posed when 500,000 foreign tourists from all countries attend the Games, potentially acquire that strain, and return home to places where it can become endemic,” it said.
“Should that happen to poor, as-yet unaffected places (e.g., most of South Asia and Africa) the suffering can be great,” the letter added.
Zika can cause birth defects, including a devastating syndrome known as microcephaly in which babies are born with unusually small heads and brains.
Nearly 1,300 babies have been born in Brazil with the irreversible defect since the mosquito-borne Zika began circulating there last year.
The Olympics and Paralympics, set for August 5 through September 18, “will take place during Brazil’s wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower,” WHO said earlier this month.

They also said the global health body should revisit its Zika guidance.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it sees no reason to delay or move the Games because of the mosquito-borne disease.

The outbreak began in Brazil a year ago, but now more than 60 countries and territories have continuing transmission.