A float of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 takes part in a parade during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Feb. 7, 2016. (Xinhua/Marcos Arcoverde/AGENCIA ESTADO)
Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro on Tuesday promised the ambassadors of EU countries to Brazil that the rise of the Zika virus would not impact the development of the upcoming Olympic Games.
Castro told the ambassadors that the country is "prepared to face the virus" and denied that there would be any risk for the tourists coming to the Rio Olympics.
He added that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits Zika, dengue and Chikungunya, reproduces mostly in the warmer months. Thus, it should not be a major problem in the winter month of August in the Southern Hemisphere.
Brazil is confidently that the Olympic Games won't be troubled by the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus, he told the press after the meeting.
The minister also explained that the one-day national mobilization against the mosquito last Saturday had seen health agents, soldiers and police visit 2.8 million homes across the country to raise awareness and to help stamp out the insect's breeding grounds.
"We will continue this mobilization as we are going to visit millions of homes in the coming weeks," said Castro, adding that the government will be particularly vigilant against the Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro.
