Zika Virus

[Alex]

As the Olympics are about to begin, I do wonder how far zika will spread afterwards. I don't believe it is risk free, as they have just found cases in Florida. It would deter me from traveling to places where zika is known, because no one knows what other effects it may have.


Would you risk going to the Olympics or Florida now that you know that the zika virus is present? Mosquitoes love me wherever I am so I don't even have to think about it, but I know some people are prepared to take a chance.

 

[fuzyon]

It's certainly a risk and the Olympics this year are looking pretty grim, but I'm sure they've take all the steps necessary to ensure Zika is not a problem. Think about it, there are so many athletes there and a virus infection would be deadly. There have been a lot of corruption cases in Brazil but this is an international event and they're not the only ones organizing it, the Olympics are pretty much safe.

 

[Alex]

Now they are warning about tourists going to Miami too, and it makes you wonder how long have the authorities known the real dangers. I wonder if people attending the Olympics are concerned or if they do trust the WHO who say it's not a risk. Unlike ebola and other viruses that need direct contact, as no one can control where mosquitoes go I personally think it is a risk.


Maybe some other US states are bracing themselves too, but don't want to scare off tourists during the bust holiday season?

 

[MissTea]

I think this is an individual thing in the sense that if you feel that you are going to be exposed, then you probably will, whether you go to Florida or Miami or Brazil. The truth is that more often than not, what we fear comes to pass, and we stop fearing something when we understand it. This virus like any other, will take it's course.

 

[Deeishere111]

What I am amazed about is how the Olympics will still be held in Rio. I don't care how much money it cost for them to prepare, lives are way more important. I really wished that the teams would of just boycott the games this year. I am reading how several of their living conditions for the travelers is not up to par. The basketball team from the US will be staying on a luxury boat instead.

 

[Alex]

It's not fear, the fact is mosquitoes are very real and unless you never leave the house or open a window it's very possible if you are in the area where they are that you can be bitten and infected. I just think it's a huge risk gambling with peoples lives, and while people think it only affects pregnant women, the virus is so new they don't actually know what else is can do.


I'm just being sensible, but then it makes me apprehensive about visiting certain US states regardless of people living in them already. Just because a place is inhabited doesn't make it safe.

 

[Hoop3]

I'm just glad I'm not pregnant now. I don't think it is likely to be much of an issue for non-pregnant women, but I do think it is irresponsible for them to continue with the Olympics during the outbreak because thousands of people will go home infected and spread the virus either through sexual contact or by being bitten by a certain species of mosquito, if it lives in their homeland. I realize that it is winter in Brazil, but it is a mild climate, the bugs survive the winter. I don't think it is likely to spread on a massive scale in the US, but really, how many babies' lives have to be ruined for this to be a bad idea?

 

[hades_leae]

If I knew there was a chance for me to catch something that don't want, and it's been on the news, then I wouldn't go to any event where it's more of a possibility of me catching it since there is a lot of people there. I still don't know as much as I want to about this virus, but I know I don't want to experience it. I wonder why it has come into existence, and why are we still dealing with it. It seems like the government has things like this under control when they want to.

 

[dysph0ria]

I wouldn't worry. Viruses spread most in heavily populated areas, and by coincidence those are the areas with the lowest mosquito populations. Zika is a fairly stable virus, so I'd expect that there will be a vaccine soon, and that will greatly hold back the virus or even wipe it out, since it's comparatively rare.


My only concern is that the spread of the virus will be fueled by the same sort of foolishness that has brought back measles and polio. There are so many people spreading the idea that mosquito repellent with DEET in it is dangerous, and that simply is not true. There's no reason to fear the DEET and plenty of reasons to fear the 'squite.


If there were a possibility of Zika becoming widespread, then I'd expect that it's related viruses, such as west nile, would be a lot more common. Those illnesses are a problem for us but have not become a major part of our lives.

 

[Panic57]

There is always a concern with visiting any foreign country. I'm afraid of catching it because there isn't a cure for it and it can pass on to your child when you're pregnant. It increase the outbreak of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome. I live in a hot area where covering up isn't an option but I'm allergic to most bug sprays, so preventing mosquito bites is hard. I've already had a dozen bites that I didn't even realize I had gotten bitten.

 

[kgord]

These zika cases are scary. This is one of the options that many people can make sure that they are protected against. It is really pretty nasty disease I am not sure if it poses a danger to other people though, other than pregnant women. The news has been kind of quiet on these results. It is just the sort of thing people really need to know so they can stay away from those areas.

 

[gwood]

The media went crazy with Zika coverage sometimes back but it has all but died down now. The scare is there and the threat is real. But I guess it may not be as bad as thought before. I guess you just have to void certain areas, take certain precautions and get checked at the earliest in case you suspect anything.

 

[Alex]

I don't think it's scaremongering at all, but it has been kept quiet. Most people don't show symptoms until weeks later, that's the problem with viruses, in that they lve in your body as you host them. There was one case of someone with a malaria type illness put into a coma (it was a British commentator who was an ex-Olympian).


The media only reports what it wants, and they need to encourage people to come to the paralympics too, so it's not over. Ticket sales show only 15% of the tickets have been sold, so they can't afford any bad press even now.