Brazil is the largest country in South America, owning about 60% of the Amazon Rainforest and has the largest Carnival in the world. With all this in mind, no wonder Rio de Janeiro was chosen to be placed on a bid to have the 2016 Olympics in which they won back in 2009.

Fast forward to 2016, many people (as well as athletes) are hesitant to go to Rio de Janeiro for this Summer Olympics and Paralympics as they are fearful of contracting the Zika Virus. The Zika Virus can cause mild Fever, Conjunctivitis, Headache, and Joint pain in adults; however, unborn children can be born with an underdeveloped Brain which may eventually lead to death. Because of the nature of the Olympics in which each athlete participate in various events, the effects of the virus might destroy years of their preparations as although they might participate through the Headaches and Fever but the joint pain is something they cannot ignore.

Recently, it had been concluded that Zika Virus might not only be transmitted via the female Aedes aegypti but also through sexual intercourse. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that “Zika virus can stay in semen longer than in blood, but we don’t know exactly how long Zika stays in semen.” Additional, prostitution in Brazil is legal and with so many foreigners coming into the country, the possibilities of what might happen are endless. However, there are ways to prevent catching the virus by wearing a condom using Mosquito Repellent, have mesh on the windows and cribs and dispose of any still water that the larvae can strive in.

Zika Virus in Brazil is currently Level 2 out of 3 which mean one should practice enhanced precaution. Zika outbreak first started in Brazil in April 2015, one year and four months before the start of the Olympics. Brazil is currently going through some financial strain as they also hosted the last FIFA world cup and also because of their political crisis. The country spent years preparing for this year Olympics that if the International Olympics committee (IOC) do withdraw, it would place the country into an even bigger financial debts. Yes, the health of everyone especially visitors are important but they can also be responsible for their own health by making necessary precautions. If the IOC withdraws the Olympics, Millions of people in Brazil might be affected as the country would have greatly benefited monetarily from the Olympics after the impeachment of their president. Just last week the country plunged into its worst recession even though they are to host the Olympics.