WHO Travel Advice Regarding Zika Virus and Olympic Games

The World Health Organization previously issued a statement concerning international spread of Zika virus.  The statement outlines steps to mitigate onward spread of the Zika virus. It does not support cancelling or rescheduling Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games planned for Rio de Janeiro. 

(Excerpts)..."Brazil is 1 of almost 60 countries and territories which to date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes...The best way to reduce risk of disease is to follow public health travel advice.

WHO advises pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This includes Rio de Janeiro. Pregnant women’s sex partners returning from areas with circulating virus should be counselled to practise safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy. Anyone considering travel to the Olympics should:

• Follow the travel advice provided by their countries’ health authorities, and consult a health worker before travelling.
• Whenever possible, during the day, protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellents and by wearing clothing – preferably light-coloured – that covers as much of the body as possible.
• Practise safer sex (for example, use condoms correctly and consistently) or abstain from sex during their stay and for at least 8 weeks after their return, particularly if they have had or are experiencing symptoms of Zika virus.
• Choose air-conditioned accommodation (where windows and doors are usually kept closed to prevent the cool air from escaping, and mosquitoes cannot enter the rooms).
• Avoid visiting areas in cities and towns with no piped water or poor sanitation (ideal breeding grounds of mosquitoes), where the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes is higher.

WHO/PAHO is providing public health advice to the Government of Brazil and the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, on ways to further mitigate the risk of athletes and visitors contracting Zika virus during the Games. An important focus of WHO advice revolves around measures to reduce populations of Aedes mosquitoes which transmit chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever in addition to Zika virus..."

For additional travel assessments from other public health agencies see:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessment, published 26 May 2016:
  Read the assessment
• European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control, published 10 May 2016:
  Read more (PDF)