Much of the effort against the illness focuses on protecting people from mosquito bites and reducing mosquito populations.
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In a meeting on 28 January, World Health Organisation director general Dr Margaret Chan warned that the virus was spreading “explosively” across South America.
The IOC offered advice to minimise the risk of infection from the virus, transferred by mosquitoes, and said travellers to Brazil should consult their national health authorities.
According to International Organization for Migration, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed into Europe in 2015 – with the majority of people arriving by boats. The baby was born with microcephaly, a neurological disorder that damaged his brain and affected his vision.
A small team of global refugee athletes will participate in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this year, Thomas Bach, the president of the worldwide Olympic Committee, confirmed Thursday.
Severe foetal birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes have been reported in babies whose mothers were infected with the virus while pregnant.
“We would support any athlete or support staff member in their decision to not attend the Games if this were the case”.
Infectious disease specialist Kyle Petersen spent years studying Zika virus as commanding officer of Naval Medical Research Unit 6 (NAMRU-6) in Lima, Peru.
“It’s a big decision, but I think if you’re a smart person you’d go “ok, I’m going to go to the Olympic games, I’ve worked my life for this, I’m going to do it”, tick that box and then look at starting a family once you’re in the all-clear”.
In 1992, athletes from Yugoslavia competed under the Olympic banner because of sanctions against the country over the war in the Balkans.
Even so, Brazilian virologists contend that mosquitoes can still easily transmit viruses in Rio and other tropical cities year-round, pointing out that Zika may have begun spreading in Brazil during its winter in 2014.
They plan to communication with National Olympic Committees regarding updates from organizers regarding any issues connected to the Zika virus and its impact on the 2016 Games. They were invited to visit the camp by the Greek government and the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) in the presence of the UNHCR in Greece.
Thousands are expected to flood into Rio for the Carnival beginning on February 5, so at least we’ll get a preview of coming attractions.
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Women wrestlers take precautions: The U.S. women’s wrestling delegation in Brazil includes six women, four of them wrestlers.
