The World Health
Organisation (WHO) Emergency Committee on Zika virus has concluded that there
is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of
the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be hosted by Brazil in August this year.
The Emergency Committee said
this is because Brazil will be hosting the Games during the Brazilian winter
when the intensity of autochthonous transmission of arboviruses, such as dengue
and Zika viruses, will be minimal.
The Committee also said that
Brazil is intensifying vector-control measures in and around the venues for the
Games which should further reduce the risk of transmission.
This is according to a
statement on the third meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency
Committee on Zika virus presented to the WHO Director General yesterday posted
on WHO web page and monitored by The Globe Newspaper.
The Committee reaffirmed
that there should be no general restrictions on travel and trade with
countries, areas and or territories with Zika virus transmission, including the
cities in Brazil that will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Committee further
provided additional advice that countries, communities and organization’s that
are convening mass gatherings in areas affected by Zika virus outbreaks should
undertake a risk assessment prior to the event and increase measures to reduce
the risk of exposure to Zika virus.
Meanwhile, efforts to get a
comment from the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) on the development
failed.
The 2016 Summer Olympics
will be held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil from August 5 to 21, 2016.
