Olympics should move due to Zika concerns: Experts

An open letter signed by 150 international doctors, scientists and researchers has urged the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to be moved or delayed due to the Zika virus.

To press on with the Games in Rio, the second most affected city in Brazil by the ongoing Zika crisis, would be "irresponsible" and "unethical," the letter argued yesterday.

"Our greater concern is for global health. The Brazilian strain of Zika virus harms health in ways that science has not observed before," said the letter, signed by experts in the United States, Britain, Canada, Norway, the Philippines, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and Lebanon among others.

"An unnecessary risk is posed when 500,000 foreign tourists from all countries attend the Games, potentially acquire that strain, and return home to places where it can become endemic," it said.

"Should that happen to poor, as-yet unaffected places (e.g., most of South Asia and Africa) the suffering can be great," the letter added. Zika can cause birth defects, including a devastating syndrome known as microcephaly in which babies are born with unusually small heads and brains. Nearly 1,300 babies



have been born in Brazil with the irreversible defect since the mosquito-borne Zika began circulating there last year.

The World Health Organization and top US public health officials have called on those traveling to Brazil to take precautions against mosquito bites, and have said pregnant women should avoid areas where Zika is circulating, including Rio de Janeiro.

The Olympics and Paralympics, set for August 5 through September 18, "will take place during Brazil's wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower," WHO said earlier this month.

But the open letter, signed by doctors and researchers at leading universities around the world, expressed worry that officials are not adequately protecting the public against the danger posed by Zika.

"It is unethical to run the risk, just for Games that could proceed anyway, if postponed and/or moved."

The letter urged the WHO to "conduct a fresh, evidence-based assessment" of the situation in Brazil and its recommendations for travelers.