WHO To Set Up Expert Committee Following Zika Concerns In Rio For Olympics

An expert committee is reported to be set up by World Health Organization to consider whether the Summer Olympcs in Rio de Janeiro should be held, delayed or postponed following concerns about Zika virus outbreak.

About 500,000 athletes will be taking part in the Olympics that is scheduled to be kicked off on August 5 in Brazil, which has been hardest-hit out of sixty nations that have reported the Zika virus outbreaks.

Last month the US Senator Jeanne Shaheen had written a letter to WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan to evaluate the condition in the country before further proceeding towards the final preparation of the mega event.

Chan replied, “Given the current level of international concern, I have decided to ask members of the Zika Emergency Committee to examine the risks of holding the Olympic Summer Games as currently scheduled.”

About 1,500 brain-damaged in new babies have been linked to the Zika virus in Brazil.

Most of the infected people suffer just minor symptoms such as a rash, fever, muscle pain or joint pain. However, the virus can also cause severe birth defects and hence it is suggested for pregnant women not to travel to the countries where Zika outbreak has been reported.