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Risk of Further Zika Virus Spread After 2016 Olympics in Brazil 'Very Low'

© AP Photo / Arnulfo FrancoA medical researcher works on results of tests for various diseases, including Zika, at the Gorgas Memorial laboratory Panama City, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016
A medical researcher works on results of tests for various diseases, including Zika, at the Gorgas Memorial laboratory Panama City, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The risk of dangerous Zika virus spread to other countries following the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil is "very low," the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement Tuesday.

View of tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games as their design is revealed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 20, 2016 - Sputnik International
Russia Certain That Zika Poses No Threat to Rio Olympics
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the WHO's International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR(2005)) Emergency Committee held a teleconference on the issues of microcephaly, other neurological disorders as well as Zika virus and its possible effect on the sporting event.

"The Committee concluded that there is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Brazil will be hosting the Games during the Brazilian winter when the intensity of autochthonous transmission of arboviruses, such dengue and Zika viruses, will be minimal and is intensifying vector-control measures in and around the venues for the Games which should further reduce the risk of transmission," the statement said.

The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitos active in daytime. It does not cause serious complications in adults, but is suspected of leading to severe brain defects and microcephaly cases in newborns.

The Zika outbreak originated in Brazil in the spring of 2015, spread across Latin America and gained widespread media attention as confirmations of first cases emerged in Europe and the United States in recent times.

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