# Will Zika spread worldwide due to Rio Olympics?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-zika-spread-worldwide-due-to-rio-olympics/757984>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [June 21, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-zika-spread-worldwide-due-to-rio-olympics/757984 "2016-06-21T20:41:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bothanspy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@bothanspy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bothanspy)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-zika-spread-worldwide-due-to-rio-olympics/757984/1 "2016-06-21T20:41:50Z")

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I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I saw some older Zika threads postulating that the Olympics may get moved, but didn’t see one asking:

As Rio becomes a melting pot for nearly all parts of the globe for several weeks, are we guaranteeing a Zika plague to spread worldwide at a much faster rate as the games wrap up and everyone returns home?

1. Not all countries, athletes, and attendees have the faculties, facilities, medical treatment, or education to self-quarantine until the incubation period is over

2. I suspect in the celebration, many pregnancies will likely occur.

3. I cannot gauge how responsive Rio is to the standing water, mosquito abatement etc. I see the press releases etc, but how much of that is lip service?

4. Vaccines are still in Phase 1 trials, no guarantee they will work.

I love the Olympics. But I cannot imagine the possibility of a self-inflicted plague (I use the term loosely for effect)

BothanSpy

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**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-zika-spread-worldwide-due-to-rio-olympics/757984/2 "2016-06-21T21:59:18Z")

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We have an advantage in that we’re running the Summer Olympics in the winter … that should minimize mosquito-borne infections. However, Olympics tend to be fuck-fests, so Zika’s STD nature is the real problem here.

Sure, the Olympics will spread the disease quicker, but it’s on the way regardless … how strong is your own community’s mosquito abatement program? Here it’s non-existent … oh boy !!!

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**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-zika-spread-worldwide-due-to-rio-olympics/757984/3 "2016-06-21T22:24:23Z")

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If you look at the total number of travelers in and out of Brazil every year, the Olympics doesn’t add a whole lot more (less than 10%, IIRC). Given that the Olympics will be in their winter (Winter is coming!), I think the fear of some world-wide plague is exaggerated. If it’s going to happen, it doesn’t need the Olympics to happen.