We all know that Zika virus has made a major impact ! What would be the answer if more people from different countries gather together in this disease prone world?
Dear Christo Ananth,
There is no doubt that the Zika virus outbreak ongoing in Brazil will have an impact on the Olympics, as it already has. The biggest impact may be due to some athletes and/or spectators being fearful of travel to Brazil during this period. However, my opinion is that the actual chances of acquiring the virus in Brazil will differ, depending on the venue of the specific events. In all, Zika virus is now widespread enough throughout much of the world that its continued expansion is inevitable. We certainly expect more movement into North American, especially the southern United States, this coming summer, with some anticipated local vector transmission. As with dengue, chikungunya, dirofilariasis, and other pathogens carried by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, there will also be spread through Europe, especially the Mediterranean region and perhaps up Into the Black Sea region. None of these anticipated events are to be dreaded, but preparations and preventative precautions are advisable. Given the massive movements of people between Brazil and other countries around the world already, and the widespread invasive nature of the mosquitoes, it is not likely that the Olympics will present a greater danger than is already being realized. Zika is now, perhaps permanently, a global disease. In fact, since the spotlight is now on Brazil in anticipation of the Olympic games, Brazil will be even more vigilant than ever to control mosquito populations in the Olympic venues. So, those sites may pose a lower risk of infection than other non-Olympic-venue sites where the virus and vectors are present but are the focus of lesser control attention.
I have attached below a couple of links to some of my publications and blogs related to Zikam invasive Aedes, and pathogen spread in general.
I will look forward to hearing what others have to say.
Bruce
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/zika-dengue-yellow-fever-west-nile-viral-encephalitis-david-bruce?trk=mp-reader-card
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/zika-just-one-character-diabolical-cast-david-bruce-conn?trk=mp-reader-card
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/chikungunya-zika-emergence-predicted-years-ago-theres-conn?trk=mp-reader-card
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