Concerns Zika could hit Brazil’s tourism
February 3, 2016, 2:55 am

At least 300,000 revelers participated in the pre-Carnival street parties in Rio de Janeiro last weekend [Xinhua]

Brazil is in the worst recessionary period in 85 years as inflation skyrockets, unemployment increases, and the reais currency continues to devalue against the dollar.

The speed with which the virus is spread by mosquitoes prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday to classify the disease a “public health emergency of international concern”.

What is the Zika virus?

Brazil is considered to be the front line of combating the disease, as the number of those affected quickly increase; Colombia is considered the second hardest hit country in the Americas. On Saturday, Colombian health officials said that 2,100 pregnant mothers had been infected.

Although Rousseff has vowed to “wage war” against the disease, there are concerns that the health and travel advisories could impact the number of tourists coming to Brazil to participate in the February 5 Carnival or the Rio Summer Olympics in August.

Host city Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are the most popular destinations for foreign tourists.

According to the World Bank, Brazil earns over $7 billion in tourism revenues.

While the Rio Olympics organizing committee has said there is no chance of the games being delayed or canceled, it has warned athletes and visitors to take precautions such as closing their windows and using mosquito repellent.

Olympic committee spokesman Mario Andrada said the “priority is the health of the athletes, the health of all Brazilians and protection for all those who work at the Olympics”.

“We are sure this battle can be won and will not affect the Games,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Brazil is expecting an additional 400,000 tourists to arrive for the Olympics in August.

When the Summer Olympics open in Brazil on August 5, the country will be in its winter season and the the virus-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito is less likely to be common in colder temperatures.

Meanwhile, Carnival organizers have asked people attending the street parties to be extra careful as health officials visit districts and suburbs of Rio de Janeiro where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is common.

Health officials say that 3,000 workers have visited some 25 per cent of homes.

They have also launched a campaign to distribute flyers warning party-goers to use repellent, where long sleeves, and empty out water containers where stagnation becomes a breeding ground for the mosquito.

Trucks carrying pesticide and repellent have been traveling the route that the Carnival samba dancers will take.

Nevertheless, at least 300,000 revelers participated in the pre-Carnival street parties in Rio de Janeiro last weekend.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies