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OUT OF THE half million tourists expected at the Rio Olympics just one is expected to catch Zika, Brazil’s health minister said today.
However pregnant women should still keep away out of precaution, he said.
Facing international concern over Zika less than two months ahead of the Olympics, Health Minister Ricardo Barros told journalists that chances of catching the mosquito-carried virus in Rio de Janeiro will be almost zero.
He said:
The statistical forecast is that out of the 500,000 foreigners coming to the games in Rio, less than one tourist will be infected.
Barros said the figure was extrapolated from studies into the spread of dengue, a disease transmitted by the same mosquito, during Brazil’s hosting of the football World Cup in 2014, when three out of 1.4 million tourists were infected.
Despite Brazil’s reassurances, there is mounting international worry about Zika, which has spread rapidly across much of Latin America.
The symptoms
In most cases the symptoms are similar to a cold or flu and not dangerous, but pregnant women who contract Zika risk giving birth to children with severe defects, including an abnormally small head and brain.
In an added complication, there is limited, but growing evidence that Zika can be transmitted sexually.
International worry
Brazilian officials insist that the Olympics will be safe, because they take place in the southern hemisphere winter when mosquito numbers plummet. In addition sporting sites will be regularly fumigated.
However Barros said the World Health Organization’s call for pregnant women not to travel to Brazil is “a reasonable measure.”
The WHO issued an updated guideline this week also urging all women in Zika-affected areas to consider delaying pregnancy.
The Brazilian health ministry says that the Zika outbreak peaked in February with 16,059 cases, while in May the number was 87% down at 2,053.
Last month 150 scientists signed an appeal to the WHO to ask for moving or delaying the Olympics because of the risks of the still mysterious virus. Barros says Brazil rejects this as “having no scientific basis.”
However the crisis has become a public relations nightmare for Olympic organisers already trying to push back against fears of high crime in Rio and heavy pollution in the bay where sailing contests will take place.
“Brazil is on the front line of aiding and informing the public on this virus,” Barros said. “It’s not an alarming situation but we have to keep careful watch.”
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“Less than one tourist” so how many does that mean.
Peter Dinklage has cancelled his flights
Ah R€tardo Barros, me oul flower
I dont know how many people will be affected, but I dont trust figures supplied by Brazilian officials. If, hypothetically, it was 1000 and not 1 at risk, do you think they’d say that? Plenty of **independent** international health bodies have said there is a risk, and the Olympics committee defied their advice and kept it in Rio anyway. That speaks volumes in itself.
I’d think bad of having to travel to that kip for something important, let alone watching some c?nt run around a track.
Less than one? So, zero then? Because half a tourist?
He means It only affects your Michael!
Ever heard of 2.4 children?
Yes but that means 2 parents 4 children!
“Trust me.The chances are less than one” said the health minister as he boarded a flight to Las Vegas, where he intends to holiday for the next 10 months.
Think he forgot a few zeros at the end there
How can anyone sensibly and expertly predict? By its very nature the extent of initial infection is unknowable. The reality is that no one knows for certain.
If the zika doesn’t get you the boys from the favela’s will.
The army are already suited and booted for their operations during Rio ’16. Rio ’14 showed how little they f**k around.
It really shouldn’t be considered a big worry for the vast majority. How often were the dangers of malaria mentioned in the run up to S.A?…
The more important issue is how a country on such a slide has been stunted by these international events. I know quiet a few Brazilians both here and there. They weren’t even that behind the World Cup. They couldn’t give less for the Olympics..
I believe anyone that looks like a Darth Sith Lord.
Do not believe ANYTHING any government minister tells you no matter what country they come from. Rule of thumb is that when they say everything is allright then thats the time you head for the hills sharpish!
Brazilian and Olympic Pr people must be working overtime I what could be a huge catastrophe
In Quantum Theory a One can be a Zero and….
a Zero can be a One.
Erwin Schrodinger told us that a cat in a box neither exists nor does not exist until
you open the box and look at the cat.
Very smart people in Brazil.
P.S.
Brazil is ahead of the game.
In the newly (and slowly) emerging technology of Quantum Computers there is an infinite number of possibilities between a Zero and a One.
Perhaps it could be fewer than one rather than less. Must be gnawing the altar rails praying for a miracle. Still the Lord moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. Praise him!
Thats one tourist too many minister,
have your say