"Very low risk" of Zika spreading due to Games, says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the results of an Emergency Committee meeting held yesterday which considered the potential risks of Zika transmission during mass gatherings — in particular, the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The committee concurred with the international scientific consensus, reached since the committee last met, that Zika virus infection and its associated congenital and other neurological disorders is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The committee also noted that mass gatherings can bring together substantial numbers of susceptible individuals and can pose a risk to the individuals themselves, result in the amplification of transmission and potentially contribute to the international spread of a communicable disease.

However, in the context of Zika virus, the committee noted that the individual risks in areas of transmission are the same whether or not a mass gathering is conducted and can be minimised by good public health measures. The committee found that there is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro during the Brazilian winter — when the intensity of autochthonous transmission of arboviruses, such as dengue and Zika viruses, will be minimal. Intensified vector-control measures in and around the venues for the Games should further reduce the risk of transmission.

The committee has also provided advice regarding mass gatherings, the Games and the prevention of infection in international travellers, highlights of which can be found below:

• Communities that are convening mass gatherings in areas affected by Zika virus outbreaks should undertake a risk assessment prior to the event and increase measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
• Brazil should continue its work to intensify vector control measures in and around the cities and venues hosting Olympic and Paralympic Games events, make the nature and impact of those measures publicly available, enhance surveillance for Zika virus circulation and the mosquito vector in the cities hosting the events and publish that information in a timely manner, and ensure the availability of sufficient insect repellent and condoms for athletes and visitors.
• Countries with travellers to and from the Olympic and Paralympic Games should ensure that those travellers are fully informed on the risks of Zika virus infection and appropriate measures to reduce the possibility of exposure and/or onward transmission.
• Pregnant women should be advised not to travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus outbreaks.
• Pregnant women whose sexual partners live in or travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safe sexual practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy.
• The WHO should regularly update its guidance on travel with evolving information on the nature and duration of risks associated with Zika virus infection.

The full statement from the WHO can be found at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/zika-third-ec/en/.