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 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified Chad,
Djibouti, Eritrea and Yemen as most susceptible to mosquito-borne
transmission of the virus among 19 countries that have conditions
that could result in an outbreak.
These four nations are more susceptible as they do not have
substantial non-Games travel to any Zika-affected countries, the CDC
said on Wednesday.
The 19 countries, identified by the CDC, have not reported an
outbreak so far. Excluding these countries, attendance at the games
does not pose a 'substantive risk' for mosquito-borne Zika
transmission.
However, last month the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded
there is a 'very low risk' of further international spread of Zika
as a result of the Olympics.
Global health officials are racing to better understand the Zika
virus which has spread to many countries in the Americas.
Brazil, which has been hardest hit, will host the Summer Olympics in
Rio de Janeiro next month. Since the start of the outbreak many
competitors, physicians and would-be visitors have expressed concern
that the event could be a catalyst to spread the virus
internationally.
According to the Brazilian Tourism Board, about 350,000–500,000
international visitors and athletes from 207 countries are expected
to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Games, the CDC said.
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The WHO has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika is a
cause of the birth defect microcephaly, or small heads in babies, as
well as Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder.
Zika is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito,
however, the virus can also be spread through sexual transmission.
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika.
(Reporting by Natalie Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak
Dasgupta)
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