ANOC Keeping Eye on Zika Virus Impact on Rio 2016

(ATR) Amid mounting concerns about the Zika virus, the Association of National Olympic Committees tells Around the Rings it is monitoring developments in Brazil "very closely".

Secretary general Gunilla Lindberg told ATR there is "no doubt" that Brazilian organizers will work with World Health Organization and the IOC to do everything to ensure the health of athletes travelling to Rio.

"The health and well-being of our NOCs and their athletes is our number one priority and we are working with the IOC to provide guidance and advice to our NOCs on prevention and symptoms of the Zika virus," Lindberg added.

The current outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil was declared a "public health emergency of international concern"by the World Health Organization on Feb. 1.

The international health body said it would investigate the link between the virus and microcephaly in newborn babies. No travel bans have been issued but those who could be affected most were instructed to consult with local physicians before travelling to affected countries.

Despite assurances from Olympic leaders, if the threat of Zika grows Kenya could consider withdrawing athletes from the Rio Olympics.

Kipchoge Keino, head of the Kenyan Olympic Committee, said to the BBC and the Guardian"We are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels."

Kenya is the firstNOC to definitively say a withdrawal from the Games would be considered in light of the Zika threat.

U.S. Assures Athlete Participation

Athletes from the United States have not reconsidered competing in the 2016 Olympics.

The National Olympic Committee released a statement on Feb. 9 to clarify the federation’s stance after reports of an internal call said that national federations were informed that athletes and staff should reconsider traveling to Rio if they were not comfortable doing so.

"Team USA looks forward to the Games and we did not, would not and will not prevent athletes from competing for their country should they qualify," Patrick Sandusky, USOC head of communications, said in a statement.

"The inaccurate report cited an internal discussion with U.S. sports leaders pertaining to employees and the potential risks that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified with travel to Zika-infected areas."

In the United States the CDC has issued a travel warning for those visiting Brazil saying that tourists should practice "enhanced levels of precaution."

The USOC said to ATR the call reported on was "regularly scheduled" between the NOC and national federations, and was merely a brief on the CDC recommendations for those traveling to Brazil. A spokesperson from the NOC added that during Games preparations the USOC is consulting with "the IOC, Rio 2016, the WHO and infectious disease specialists with expertise in tropical diseases, including the Zika virus."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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