The Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games, to be held in August and September, respectively, should be postponed, moved or both, Amir Attaran of the University of Ottawa wrote recently in the Harvard Public Health Review. “Zika infection is more dangerous, and Brazil’s outbreak more extensive, than scientists reckoned a short time ago,” Attaran wrote. Should the Rio Olympics be postponed or moved because of the Zika outbreak? Will Brazilian officials be able to take the necessary precautions to protect the health of visitors from around the world at the same time that they are planning for the Games, grappling with a severe recession and adjusting to an interim government and new cabinet put in place during the impeachment trial of President Dilma Rousseff? If Rio goes ahead with the Games, will significant numbers of visitors who would ordinarily travel there stay away?

Nuria Homedes, associate professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Texas: "The threat of an uncontainable epidemic in today’s globalized world poses a serious challenge for public health experts and agencies. The relatively recent cases of H1N1 and SARS have educated as well as caused distress among the general public. The Zika virus tends to cause mild symptoms and only recently has been linked to neurological disorders when affecting pregnant women. While I would caution pregnant women against traveling to areas where they are at risk of contracting a Zika infection, especially during the first half of their pregnancy, I would not be in favor of postponing or moving the Olympics for the following reasons: (1) The Olympics will be held during the Brazilian winter, when the chances of human infection are at its lowest; (2) The political crisis is unlikely to affect the government’s willingness and capacity to implement all available public health measures to minimize health risks to visitors—and it is in the interest of the interim government to demonstrate that it can properly host an international event; and (3) Mosquito-transmitted diseases are prevalent in many regions of the world, and travelers learn to effectively minimize their risk of infection. Athletes and individuals traveling to Brazil should become familiar and adhere to the recommendations made by the WHO, the CDC and the Brazilian government on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites and, in the event that they become infected, on preventing the sexual transmission of the disease, becoming pregnant or causing someone to become pregnant during at least four weeks--some recommend six months--after contracting the disease. In my opinion, non-pregnant athletes or sports fans should not be deterred from traveling to Brazil for fear of contracting a Zika infection."

Thomas Rideg, regional CEO for the Americas at M-Brain: "There is no doubt that Brazil is facing the worst recession in decades (arguably in its history) as a result of its corrupt political environment and everything that stems out of such corruption. However, the fact that the majority of the population, through almost two years of indignation and protests, influenced Congress to temporarily remove a president from office, making her permanent removal almost certain, brings huge confidence for a turnaround. Brazil just took a big first step, and the people are increasingly critical and demanding for the new government to make the reforms that need to be made to trim down the public sector, boost confidence and put the economy on track. The Zika phenomenon is something that extends across a continent of hundreds of millions of people and is not solely concentrated in Rio. It is a very serious matter and should be dealt with very diligently, but not to the extent of moving or postponing the Games. Educational and orientation programs on where to go, what to wear, how to behave and react should be clearly communicated. Authorities in Rio also have to comply with international standards when it comes to sanitation and other precautions. Naturally, pregnant women should be strongly discouraged from traveling to Rio, or any Zika-risk area at this time. There always will be a degree of risk, but Rio is not at the epicenter of the Zika infestation, and the Southern Hemisphere’s winter is a season of reduced mosquito exposure and risk. Postponing or moving the Games would be an extreme move that would cause even more damage to a country that is at a crucial turning point toward recovery."

Marie Lefebvre, development and external relations coordinator at the Inter-American Dialogue: "While it was wrong for Brazil’s new health minister to call the World Health Organization’s advice to pregnant women to avoid the Olympics as ‘overzealous,’ the cancellation or delay of the Rio Games would be an exaggerated reaction to the country’s Zika outbreak. Yes, pregnant women should stay away, and their sexual partners should take adequate precautions, but for other tourists and athletes, several factors will greatly minimize their risk of contracting the virus—including August’s cooler and drier winter season, plans for the daily inspections and occasional spraying of Olympic venues and preventative measures individuals can take, such as applying repellent and wearing long clothing. Mayor Eduardo Paes awkwardly dismissed the threat, claiming he does not know anyone who has Zika despite knowing a lot of people, so ‘it’s not a big issue.’ Unfortunately, as is tragically the case in most developing countries, the epidemic disproportionately affects a certain demographic: in Brazil, those most prone to the virus are the poor, marginalized populations living in informal slum housing, where stagnant bodies of water are breeding grounds for the disease-carrying mosquitoes. Another health threat is the more common Dengue fever, which in 2015 alone affected 1.6 million known people in Brazil. (Zika is often referred to as ‘dengue light’ for its milder visible symptoms.) Also worrisome is the water quality for the triathlon, rowing and sailing events. The ingestion of just three teaspoons of water from those venues creates a ‘99 percent’ chance of infection according to an AP study last year."

Luca Tenzi, corporate security expert: "There is no doubt that the Zika infectious outbreak, Brazil’s current political situation and its severe recession will have a great impact on the next Olympics. Nevertheless, the Olympics are critical for Rio, the Cariocas and the overall economy behind such a large event. Postponing the Games seems not to be on the International Olympic Committee’s agenda. Therefore, visitors should be well briefed and prepared on the medical and security situations. At this stage, Brazil needs the Olympics to be its phoenix. Brazil has demonstrated (during World Youth Day and Pope Francis’ pastoral visit in 2013 and the World Cup in 2014) its ability to provide sufficient security and guarantee the safety of any official delegation, athletes, families and tourists. The World Cup experience will be leveraged. All governments are providing details and information to their citizens on the precautions to be taken while traveling to the Games."

The Latin America Advisor features Q&A from leaders in politics, economics, and finance every business day. It is available to members of the Dialogue's Corporate Program and others by subscription.