WHO To Examine Risks Of Holding Olympic Games In Rio Amid Zika

BBC News: Olympic Games: World Health Organization to conduct Zika examination
“The World Health Organization is to examine the risks of holding the Olympics in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro because of the Zika virus…” (6/3).

The Hill: U.N. health agency to weigh Zika risk from Olympics
“…WHO Director-General Margaret Chan was responding after [U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H)] raised concerns that holding the Olympics in Brazil as scheduled could accelerate the spread of the virus, which can cause birth defects…” (Sullivan, 6/3).

NPR: Does The Olympics In Rio Put The World In Danger Of Zika?
“…Nearly 200 scientists signed a letter to the World Health Organization last week, calling for the games to be moved because of the ongoing epidemic of Zika in Brazil. But many health officials — including those at WHO — say having the games in Rio doesn’t pose a big enough threat to warrant moving them…” (Doucleff, 6/3).

Reuters: WHO emergency panel to meet in June on Zika and Olympics: spokeswoman
“…WHO makes risk assessments of a public health issue and it would be up to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to decide on holding the event in Rio de Janeiro, due to start on Aug. 5, [WHO spokeswoman Nyka Alexander] said…” (Nebehay/Berkrot, 6/3).

U.S. News & World Report/Associated Press: U.N: Experts Being Asked to Examine Zika Risk at Rio Games
“…[WHO Director General Margaret] Chan said in a letter released by [U.S. Senator Jeanne] Shaheen Friday that WHO has sent senior scientists to Brazil four times to assess the risk of Zika to the approximately 500,000 athletes and visitors expected to attend the Aug. 5-21 Olympics…” (Cheng, 6/3).

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