Zika risk during Olympics virtually zero, minister says

Health Minister Ricardo Barros said the incidence of infections with Zika virus during the Olympic Games in Rio is expected to be extremely low. The statement was made Wednesday (Jul. 6).

During a public hearing at the Senate, he pointed out that, in the 2014 World Cup, Brazil welcomed approximately 1 million tourists and registered only three cases of dengue fever. The rate estimated by the government for the sporting event in August is not considerably different.

“Historic graphs show that, during winter, the transmission rate of the virus is considerably low—especially because the mosquito won't hatch or thrive in lower temperatures. Also because there are major [fighting] efforts, with 3.5 thousand extra sanitation agents in Rio de Janeiro working on the identification and elimination of breeding sites,” the minister declared.

Barros assured the Brazilian government has no concerns over hosting the sporting event amid a Zika epidemic: “Whoever wants to come for the Olympics may come, because the risk of infection with the virus is virtually zero.”

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira