There’s no evidence that the Olympic Games will be cancelled or postponed any time soon because of the recently outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil and the threat it represents for the entire humanity.



At travoom, we want to keep travel people updated about the situation around Zika virus as it really has an impact when traveling in and out the affected countries.

Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted infection that has been connected to neurological birth disorders in babies whose mothers were bitten by the mosquito during pregnancy.

Olympic organizers insist that the Olympic Games in Brazil won’t be called off or put off despite the bloodcurdling threat Zika virus represents for all the spectators and athletes from everywhere in the world.

Maybe that could be a reckless decision. Not only the virus is transmitted when someone is bitten directly by the mosquito. Also, both perinatal and transfusion transmission of the Zika virus have been demonstrated, and sexual transmission could be possible according to recent reports on three cases.

The World Heath Organization (WHO) has called the situation “an ‘extraordinary event’ and a public health threat to other parts of the world.”

The Olympic Games attract spectators and athletes – and their families – from overseas. If a sick traveler returns to his/her home country where the mosquito lives, the virus could be spread there too.

Therefore, Zika virus is, without any doubt, a public health threat worldwide as no vaccine against the virus is available yet, and the causes and effects of the virus are still being investigated.

Athletes, their families and tourists need to rethink carefully about the risks of traveling to Brazil for the Olympics. It is expected that as many as 380,000 tourists will visit Rio de Janeiro in August.

Among athletes and their respective committees, thoughts differ about the health risks surrounding Zika virus and bearing on their decision to participate in the Games.

Some of them show concern, like George Boville, an Olympic bronze medalist, who told ABC News that he’s worried about traveling to Brazil because of the dangers of the outbreak of Zika virus.

However, others aren’t afraid of the health issues of Zika virus, like the Indian shooting coach Ronak Pandit, who told Reuters “The way I see it, it’s better to die for an Olympic gold than be scared and sit at home.”

Also, Anne Marie, a Danish sailor, said “I’ll just buy some really strong insect repellent. That’s how much I’ve thought about it. I’m not worried about it.”

Recently, Daily Mail newspaper reported that the US Olympic Committee told the country’s sports federations that those athletes and staff that are concerned for their health because of Zika virus should consider the possibility of not traveling to Brazil.

So, who will be going to Brazil in the middle of Zika virus outbreak? Athletes have been training for a long time to compete for the gold medal. And now, they might be concerned but it seems they are willing to compete.

Young women fans that are or might get pregnant are the ones really at risk. Also, male fans or athletes that are sexually active might be at risk of transmitting the disease to a partner if sexual transmission is confirmed to be possible.

We’ll have to wait and see how the situation surrounding Zika virus proceeds. And what level of danger could be expected during the Olympic Games. Maybe it’s too soon to cancel or postpone the Games till more research is done.





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