The Zika Virus Might Interrupt The 2016 Rio Olympics

For travelers to both events, warnings about Zika virus, which is spread to people through mosquitoes and has been found in Brazil and more than 20 surrounding countries, are causing alarm.

The International Olympic Committee announced recently that in order to ensure safety, sporting venues would be regularly inspected to ensure puddles of stagnant water – where mosquitos breed – are removed, minimizing the risk of athletes and visitors coming into contact with the insects.

Average temperatures in Rio usually are 71 degrees with little range between highs and low.

President of the International Olympic Committee confirmed yesterday that a team of international refugees would be competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“A casual relationship between the Zika virus and birth malformations and neurological syndromes has not yet been established but it is strongly suspected”.

Infectious disease specialist Kyle Petersen spent years studying Zika virus as commanding officer of Naval Medical Research Unit 6 (NAMRU-6) in Lima, Peru.

Tens of thousands of people living in slums were displaced during venue construction. “You take one infected person who is bitten by a mosquito”.

The big question is whether Zika is responsible for the huge increase in birth defects reported by doctors, hospitals and other medical officials in Brazil over the last few months.

“We’re not even thinking of that”, he said.

“There have been no discussions about canceling the games or moving them to another city because of Zika”, a spokesman for the Rio Olympics organizing committee tells the Times.

“The government is also doing daily inspections of Olympic facilities here”.

Health officials say the number of US residents diagnosed with Zika infections in the past year has grown to 31. Some 80 percent of those infected typically do not have symptoms, making it hard for pregnant women to determine if they have the virus.

How concerned should U.S.be about Zika virus?

“At the same time, National Olympic Committees should consult with their national health authorities to get advice and guidance”, it said in its note to NOCs and worldwide sports federations.

Jacques Rogge, IOC’s honorary president, who is also the UN’s Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport, said the symbolic gestures aim to raise awareness about the refugee crisis.