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Brazil faces Zika virus alert as Olympics near
Rio de Janeiro: Already grappling with construction delays, budget cuts, pollution and a sinking economy, Rio 2016 organisers now face a health alert as they prepare for this year’s Olympic Games.
Brazil is battling to contain an outbreak of the Zika virus which has been linked with birth defects and paralysis-causing Guillain-Barre syndrome. The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned pregnant women against travelling to Brazil and 21 other countries where the virus is present, reports Xinhua.
Officials in Rio said measures are being taken to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water which is a breeding ground for the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus.
“Rio 2016 will continue to monitor the issue closely and follow guidance from the health ministry,” the organising committee said in a statement.
The Olympics will be held from August 5 to 21, during Brazil’s dry season, and officials say this will mean the mosquito is less prevalent. The Zika outbreak also comes as Rio prepares for its annual carnival celebrations which begin on February 5.
According to Nancy Bellei, the coordinator of clinical virology at Brazil’s Infectious Diseases Institute, current high humidity meant tourists faced greater risk.
“This is the worst time to deal with an epidemic of a virus we know very little about. The government is trying to raise awareness and fight the mosquito but we won’t achieve control in the short term under the current circumstances,” she said.
Bellei added that the virus could easily spread to other countries by infected visitors.
“If a person is infected and then travels to a country where the Aedes mosquito is present, the mosquito can bite the person and thereby introduce the virus in a place where it previously did not exist,” Bellei said.
Zika originated in Africa and is thought to have spread to Brazil by tourists in 2014. Local health officials say the mosquito is behind a rise in the incidence of microcephaly, a condition that causes unusually small infant head size. It can lead to stillbirths and long-lasting health problems for survivors.
Brazil has recorded 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly since October. Less than 150 cases were reported in the country in 2014. The health alert coincides with Brazil’s worst recession in decades, exacerbated by a sprawling corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras.
Rio is also struggling to finish a raft of infrastructure projects in time for the Olympics, including a new subway line and several event venues. In addition, organisers have cut about $500 million in expenses while Rio’s sailing and rowing venues face ongoing pollution concerns linked to the city’s inadequate sewage system.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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