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Doubts over Olympics?

Mark FMark F Posts: 54,023
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in The Olympic Games #1
Due to the Zika outbreak..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3421467/Can-Olympics-survive-Brazil-s-Zika-outbreak-Crisis-female-spectators-ATHLETES-warned-not-organisers-rely-dry-season-kill-mosquitoes.html

More pressure for the hosts to ensure this doesn't affect the Olympics - they have enough on their plate as it is.

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    CarlLewisCarlLewis Posts: 6,236
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    #2
    Trouble is, it's like the boy who cried wolf. I'm so used to sensational scare stories at every Olympics, I wouldn't recognise a real problem if I saw it.
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    MinaHMinaH Posts: 3,406
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    #3
    I think this should have been in the General section because it is hidden here and is making national news. If female spectators and athletes are warned not to go then it is not worth holding it at all. Olympics would be cancelled or postponed if the Olympic Site was affected by a) War b) Meteor strike c) Flood d) Earthquake e) Deadly epidemic ...
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    firefly_irlfirefly_irl Posts: 4,015
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    #4
    Literally every Olympics has some scare story related to it, particularly when not in the "Western" world.
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    The NetThe Net Posts: 5,494
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    #5
    Statement out this morning that there was "no chance of the Games being postponed" which is strong a rebuttal of any suggestions that it may as you will hear.
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    MinaHMinaH Posts: 3,406
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    #6
    It is being reported now that the Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. It is being reported that a man with the Zika virus has sexually transmitted it to his partner in the US:

    "Now that we know Zika virus can be transmitted through sex, this increases our awareness campaign in educating the public about protecting themselves and others”

    http://europe.newsweek.com/zika-virus-texas-united-states-sexual-transmission-422316?rm=eu

    This virus could be the "real deal". The next big thing on the block since AIDS. At the moment there are too many unknowns.

    The fact that it can be sexually transmitted means the advice must be both females and males should avoid areas which have it.

    Zika virus: US scientists say vaccine '10 years away':
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35423288

    The other thing that is not known is residence time in the body. Some viruses such as the AIDS virus remain in the body for life.
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    MinaHMinaH Posts: 3,406
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    #7
    There is another thread on DS on the Zika virus with further information including what is known about its residence time in the body. 21 days is being mentioned but it seems to me that it is possible for the virus to hide in the body in a dormant stage and re-emerge at a later date.

    http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2133182

    and now:
    http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2131321
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    Tannhauser GateTannhauser Gate Posts: 17,739
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    #8
    MinaH wrote: »
    There is another thread on DS on the Zika virus with further information including what is known about its residence time in the body. 21 days is being mentioned but it seems to me that it is possible for the virus to hide in the body in a dormant stage and re-emerge at a later date.

    http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2133182

    and now:
    http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2131321

    Although there is no vaccine, there are preventative steps that Brazil and athletes can take (removal of standing water near venues, mosquito repellants, screens) to avoid being bitten. But the news that Zika can be sexually transmitted is a game-changer. Especially if the athletes treat the village as a club 18-30 holiday as in previous Olympics:

    http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/story/_/id/8133052/athletes-spill-details-dirty-secrets-olympic-village-espn-magazine

    100 000 condoms officially ordered every Olympics since 2000.... :o
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    Howard_HockeyHoward_Hockey Posts: 188
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    #9
    firefly_irl wrote: »
    Literally every Olympics has some scare story related to it, particularly when not in the "Western" world.

    Our scare story started the day after we got the games (7/7) so we weren't immune
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    Howard_HockeyHoward_Hockey Posts: 188
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    #10
    Makosi's pants wrote: »
    Although there is no vaccine, there are preventative steps that Brazil and athletes can take (removal of standing water near venues, mosquito repellants, screens) to avoid being bitten. But the news that Zika can be sexually transmitted is a game-changer. Especially if the athletes treat the village as a club 18-30 holiday as in previous Olympics:

    There are plenty of sports outside controlled zones.
    Cycling, the marathon, biathlon all involve being way out in the open, how can every area be cleared of mosquitoes? How many writers on here would go somewhere where your games are out in the open and have the worry that there's no vaccine and it could well be in your body for life possibly?
    I'd give it a miss, including any holidays until I can be vaccinated
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    MinaHMinaH Posts: 3,406
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    #11
    One thing I have heard is that the Olympics occurs outside of the Mosquito season.

    As Rio is in the southern hemisphere the Olympics technically occurs in their winter. However Rio is located in the tropics and tropical climates don't have much of a difference between winter and summer. But apparently there isn't any (isn't many) flying mosquitoes at that time of year.
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    Tiger RoseTiger Rose Posts: 11,824
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    #12
    Howard_Hockey wrote: »
    There are plenty of sports outside controlled zones.
    Cycling, the marathon, biathlon all involve being way out in the open, how can every area be cleared of mosquitoes? How many writers on here would go somewhere where your games are out in the open and have the worry that there's no vaccine and it could well be in your body for life possibly?
    I'd give it a miss, including any holidays until I can be vaccinated[/QUOTE]

    It's only mild symptoms though - only really an issue if you are pregnant as it has led to birth defects.

    Rio is out of my budget but if i won the lottery I'd be off like a shot as i have no plans to get pregnant.
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    Virtual PaulVirtual Paul Posts: 4,664
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    #13
    Was concerned about news Kenya may pull out 'due to zika' thinking other nations may follow if the threat isn't handled sufficiently to reduce the potential impact on the athletes.

    Looks like Kenya may be using it as an excuse to save face due to not complying with doping requirements in time.

    From 9th Feb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/35530141

    From 11th Feb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/35551486
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    The NetThe Net Posts: 5,494
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    #14
    Tiger Rose wrote: »
    Howard_Hockey wrote: »
    There are plenty of sports outside controlled zones.
    Cycling, the marathon, biathlon all involve being way out in the open, how can every area be cleared of mosquitoes? How many writers on here would go somewhere where your games are out in the open and have the worry that there's no vaccine and it could well be in your body for life possibly?
    I'd give it a miss, including any holidays until I can be vaccinated[/QUOTE]

    It's only mild symptoms though - only really an issue if you are pregnant as it has led to birth defects.

    Rio is out of my budget but if i won the lottery I'd be off like a shot as i have no plans to get pregnant.

    From all that I have read I have no concerns about going at all. Friends are travelling to the Carnival in Rio and had no qualms about travelling. My tickets are booked and can't wait.
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