WHO Rejects Experts’ Appeal For Reviewing ‘Olympic 2016 Plan’ Over Zika Epidemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) has virtually denied complying with the requests made by 150 health experts to relocate or postpone Rio Olympic Games over Zika threat. The requesting signatories even include a former science adviser for the White House. The dignitaries from the science arena have sent an open letter urging WHO to revise plans for the sake of public health.

WHO rejects the appeal since changing the plan won’t significantly alter spread of the virus responsible for causing serious birth defects. The leading scientists have referred the event of letting the Games to go ahead as unethical citing some new findings about Zika. They have also urged the global health body to review its Zika guidance. Meanwhile, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has found no reason to relocate or postpone the game fearing the mosquito-borne disease, reports BBC.

The epidemic outbreak has initiated in Brazil around a year ago, but now the disease has been transmitted to more than 60 countries and territories. Recent studies on Zika virus suggest that it may even cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder causing temporary or fatal paralysis. The appealing scientists fear for rapid spreading of these diseases following an influx of Olympic visitors to Rio, a widely acknowledged Zika prone area, according to a report published in The Guardian.

However, the risk for infecting the notorious virus in Rio de Janeiro will remain lower compared with many other parts of America, argue some health experts. WHO’s denial argument has also been supported by Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Rio Olympics will take place in August which is the coldest month in the host city. Mosquito numbers usually remain at the lowest during that period of the year, reports Al Jazeera quoting Hotez argument.

Appeal from the expert scientists is expected to mount pressure upon Brazil government and Olympic organizers. Both the authorities have repeatedly insisted for letting the Games go ahead safely following ensuring sufficient insect repellant for the athletes and visitors to minimize the risks of Zika.

Furthermore, Brazil government has conducted a massive crackdown to establish control over the epidemic outbreak through its biggest ever military mobilization. Besides army, navy and air force personnel, some 315,000 public officials have also taken part in the crack down operations. Last of all, Zika outbreak is now concentrated in northeastern Brazil, far away from the Olympic venues of Rio, reveals a recent editorial in the Lancet Infectious Disease journal.