There is “a very low risk” that the upcoming Rio de Janeiro Olympics will accelerate the spread of the Zika virus around the globe, the WHO said on Tuesday.
After convening a meeting of its independent Zika experts, the UN health agency reaffirmed its previous advice that only pregnant women should skip the Aug. 5 to Aug. 21 Games in Brazil, the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak.
The explosive spread of the Zika virus was declared a global emergency in February. The disease is largely spread by mosquitoes, but in rare cases can also be transmitted via sex. In most cases, Zika causes only mild symptoms like a fever and rash, but it is also said to be responsible for severe birth defects, including babies born with abnormally small heads and a rare neurological syndrome that can cause death or temporary paralysis.
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After numerous outsiders raised concerns about whether the Games should be moved or postponed because of the Zika threat, the WHO said the issue would be considered at its meeting on Tuesday.
The expert group acknowledged that mass gatherings like the Olympics “can result in the amplification of transmission,” but still insisted that “the individual risks in areas of transmission are the same whether or not a mass gathering is conducted.”
WHO director of emergency programs Bruce Aylward said that the increase in travel to Rio because of the Olympics would be “very, very marginal.”
“I am not invested in whether or not the Games happen in Brazil or not. I mean, it would be great if they do: I think the Olympic Games are a great thing, and I think the world needs them now more than ever,” Aylward said.
The committee issued various recommendations to Brazilian officials and said authorities should intensify mosquito control measures and “ensure the availability of sufficient insect repellent and condoms for athletes and visitors.”
Last week, the Brazilian minister of health said there was practically “zero” risk that any of the expected 500,000 Olympic visitors would be infected with Zika.
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