WHO rejects scientists' call for postponing Rio Olympics

The World Health Organization (WHO) counter today (May 28) the arguments offered by a group of scientists, and declared that there was no reason for postponing or canceling the Rio Olympic Games, scheduled for August, due to the Zika virus outbreak.

In the WHO's view, any amendment to the schedule of the competition will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus. Brazil is 1 of almost 60 countries and territories which to date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes.

"Based on the current assessment of Zika virus circulating in almost 60 countries globally and 39 countries in the Americas, there is no public health justification for postponing or cancelling the games. WHO will continue to monitor the situation and update our advice as necessary,” declared the organization through a note.

The WHO issued the note after receiving an open letter signed by researchers from at least 15 countries calling the organization and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Rio 2016 Games to be postponed and/ or moved to another location in the name of "public health" due to the presence of Zika-carrying mosquitoes in the city.

WHO also pointed out that the organization is providing public health advice to Brazil's Government and the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, on ways to further mitigate the risk of athletes and visitors contracting Zika virus during the Games. One of the measures is focused on reducing populations of Aedes mosquitoes which transmit chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever in addition to Zika virus.

On Friday (27), after the scientists' open letter was released, the Ministry of Health stated that in August, when the competition is due to be held, the infection-carrying mosquito is not particularly active. The ministry also noted the fact that the WHO has not raised any travel alert, except for pregnant women.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta