Doctors and other health and community leaders want to postpone or move the upcoming Brazil Olympics as Zika virus crisis grow.
On May 27, more than 100 experts wrote an open letter to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan to urge authorities to consider their request in the name of public health.
Making Wise Decisions In The Face Of Zika Virus
Zika virus is a fairly new health emergency and for this, the authors think that looking at epidemiological data, travel history during Games and insect information is not enough to make accurate mathematical models that can predict the course of the disease. With this, the authors say that health experts should uphold decisions that are based more on qualitative, instead of quantitative considerations.
Among the possible options that authorities need to look at soon include: conducting the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 as originally scheduled; postponing the Olympic Games at a date when Zika virus has been controlled; and holding the Olympic Games in a venue where there is no Zika outbreak, but which possesses facilities at par with Olympic standards.
Looking At The Current Situation
There are many factors that urged the authors to write the open letter to the WHO. They even enumerated the circumstances that made them want to postpone or move the Olympics due to Zika crisis.
After gathering data, they found that the strain of Zika virus in Brazil entails far more dangerous medical impacts than previously believed. Rio de Janeiro, where the Olympic games will be held, is one of the most Zika-affected places in Brazil. Lastly, interventions to kill mosquitoes are not reaching target goals, with mosquito-borne diseases even increasing in cases this year.
Such findings should warrant the WHO to perform new, evidence-based evaluation of Zika and the Olympic Games, and come up with fresh recommendations for travelers.
Conflict Of Interest
In the letter, the authors also expressed their concerns regarding the WHO's possible rejection of their plea due to conflict of interest. They pointed out to the official collaboration of the UN agency and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a memorandum that had been kept secret. A non-declaration of such partnership is considered standard practice for agreements with conflicts of interest.
Canceling Major Events
The authors say that they made these recommendations despite notions saying that Rio Olympics 2016 is too big to fail. In 1916, 1940 and 1944, the Olympics were canceled. Other sporting events were also moved because of disease outbreaks. For example, the 2003 Women's World Cup was moved from China to the United States because of SARS. Plans for the Major League Baseball were also changed because of Zika virus, and so was the Africa Cup of Nations due to Ebola virus.
The WHO must review these past events before finally making a decision about the 2016 Rio Olympics. Specifically, the authors of the letter recommended to the WHO to build an independent panel that may advise it and the IOC with utmost transparency based on scientific evidence. This is for the welfare of public health, science and the spirit of sports.
"Given the public health and ethical consequences, not doing so is irresponsible," the authors wrote.
