preview

Zika Disease In South America

Satisfactory Essays

Due to the Zika outbreaks in South America, health experts urge the World Health Organization (WHO) to relocate or postpone the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. One hundred and fifty health experts including the former White House science adviser Dr. Phillip Rubin, have issued a letter to the UN health agency to delay or relocate the game due to public health reasons. The letter said that recent studies on the Zika disease showed that it causes severe birth defects in babies and neurological problems in adults. These severe birth defects can cause babies to be born with an abnormally small head. The neurological problems adults may get from contracting the Zika disease can cause a rare syndrome that can be fatal or result in a temporary paralysis. …show more content…

Although the WHO have already advised travellers, especially pregnant women, not to go to Rio. WHO said that relocating or delaying the Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of the Zika virus. The WHO Director General Dr. Margret Chan has said earlier this month that the UN health agency is increasingly worried about trying to stop the Zika disease. But stopped short at the recommendation of delaying or relocating the Olympics. Dr. Chan, who is not of the child-bearing age, noted that she will be attending the games. Concerns over the Zika virus have prompted the USA Swimming to move its pre-Olympic training from Puerto Rico to Atlanta. The Major League Baseball have also cancelled a series of games that were going to be held in San Juan, Puerto

Get Access