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U of Ottawa prof warns of Zika epidemic being spread by visitors to Brazil



"I characterize it as potentially catastrophic, extremely negligent, ill-considered and inconsistent with the scientific evidence," said Attaran, noting that the science on Zika has rapidly evolved since the IOC last stated that the Games will proceed as planned.



Since that statement in late January, in which the IOC expressed confidence that the Games will be safe and advised participants on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites, researchers have proven that Zika infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly in newborns.



"It's a bit like saying: 'We're holding the Games in Fukushima. Protect yourself. Wear a lead suit. It will all be fine,"' quipped Attaran, referring to the 2011 post-tsunami nuclear disaster in Japan.



He also criticized the WHO for not taking a stronger stance on the threat of worldwide Zika transmission as a result of the Olympic Games, given that the agency's director general, Margaret Chan, had declared the explosive spread of the virus in the Americas a global public health emergency.



A spokesman for the World Health Organization in Geneva could not be reached for comment Monday.



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