Low risk in all but 4 countries of Olympics-related Zika ADVERTISING Low risk in all but 4 countries of Olympics-related Zika NEW YORK (AP) — The upcoming Olympic games are not likely to have a major impact on the spread
Low risk in all but 4 countries of Olympics-related Zika
NEW YORK (AP) — The upcoming Olympic games are not likely to have a major impact on the spread of Zika virus, although four developing countries could face a substantially higher risk, according to a new government estimate.
U.S. researchers tried to calculate whether the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which is in the midst of a Zika epidemic, will lead to outbreaks that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. The danger is that infected travelers might be bitten by mosquitoes after return to their home nations, which would potentially spread Zika to other people and spark an outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 19 countries that currently do not have Zika have the right conditions for outbreaks if it is imported by people returning from the Olympics. But in only four of the 19 countries is the issue considered substantial: Yemen, at the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, and Chad, Djibouti and Eritrea in Africa.
CDC researchers made their predictions based on a range of factors, including air travel patterns between Brazil and other countries and the presence of a tropical mosquito that is the main way Zika spreads to people.
UN: South Sudan death toll probably higher than 272
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The death toll from a recent outbreak of fighting in South Sudan is almost certain to climb higher than the 272 people, including 33 civilians, reported by the government, United Nations officials said Wednesday.
Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council that government forces are obstructing the movement of U.N. personnel “every step of the way,” making it hard to ascertain what has gone on since the fighting erupted between the government and rebel forces last week.
Ellen Margrethe Loj, who leads the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, echoed Ladsous’ assessment.
“I know for a fact, because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, that I don’t think all the casualties and the bodies have been collected and a proper count has been done, if it ever will be,” Loj said, addressing reporters via videolink from Juba, the South Sudan capital.
Both officials said that while the cease-fire in Juba appears to be holding since it was declared Monday night, further clashes cannot be ruled out.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito, 82, reportedly considering retiring
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Akihito has expressed his intention to retire and relinquish his title in the next few years, rather than reduce his duties as he ages, the country’s public television reported Wednesday.
The 82-year-old Akihito in recent years has referred to his old age and admitted to making small mistakes at ceremonies, and the Imperial Household Agency suggested reducing his duties, while giving more responsibility to Crown Prince Naruhito.
The NHK report, citing unidentified agency sources, said Akihito told palace officials that he doesn’t want to cling to his title with drastically reduced responsibility or by arranging a substitute. Kyodo News agency carried a similar report quoting government officials.
Later Wednesday night, Kyodo said Imperial Household Agency official Shinichiro Yamamoto denied the report, adding the emperor has avoided commenting because the postwar constitution bans imperial involvement in politics.
Auschwitz memorial says playing ‘Pokemon Go’ not allowed
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum says it does not allow people to play “Pokemon Go” on their smartphones during visits to the former German death camp because it is “disrespectful.”
Museum spokesman Pawel Sawicki said Wednesday that its authorities are asking game producers to exclude the site from games.
He said allowing such games to be active on the authentic grounds of the former death camp is “disrespectful to the memory of the victims of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp on many levels and it is absolutely inappropriate.”
Earlier in the day, the Auschwitz memorial tweeted: “Do not allow playing #PokemonGO on the site of our Memorial and similar places. It’s disrespectful on many levels.”
