DFA warns PSC over Rio dengue, Zika virus

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs has warned the Philippine Sports Commission of the danger posed by the dengue and Zika virus to athletes seeing action in and sports fans heading for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

In a letter to PSC Chair Richie Garcia, DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Andrelita Austria said there’s an increase by 600 percent in the number of dengue cases in the western part of the Brazilian city where major Olympic events such as swimming, tennis and basketball will be held.

Austria noted that the number of dengue cases increased from 47 to 329, the highest among the 10 areas being monitored by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department.

“The Philippine Embassy in Brazil has been monitoring the situation and it’s getting out of control,” said Garcia.