Zika won’t stop Olympics, say Brazil tourism officials
Brazil tourism officials have insisted there are no plans to postpone or cancel the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games because of the Zika virus outbreak.
Embratur, the Brazilian Tourism Board, said it has been advised by the World Health Organization which said delaying the Games would not alter the spread of the virus, which is already in 60 countries and territories.
"The 2016 Olympics and Paralympics will take place with utmost attention given to the health of the participants and spectators of the biggest sporting event in the world," it said.
"The Brazilian government, in constant contact with the WHO and the Pan American Health Organization, are taking all necessary measures to ensure the effective combat of mosquito outbreaks, with specific actions to the headquarters of the competition, Rio de Janeiro and the cities that will host football matches.
"Embratur reinforces that Brazil will do everything it can to ensure that the Games take place safely and peacefully, for athletes, technical staff and tourists."
It said before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo predicted that only around three foreign tourists would contract dengue fever, which is transmitted by the same mosquito that spreads the Zika virus.
They were right, as only three individuals were affected from 700,000 visitors from other countries who visited Brazil during the competition.
It also pointed out that the Games will take place in Brazil’s winter, which is the time of year where mosquito-borne diseases are most infrequent.
It is advising visitors to use mosquito repellents, keep doors and windows closed or screened, and wear trousers and long sleeved shirts.
Only pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas affected by the outbreak of Zika.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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