Zika virus raises concerns over Brazil’s tourism industry

With international health travel warning over Latin America countries, the Zika outbreak could affect Brazil's tourism sector and economy

Due to the high speed with which the Zika virus is spreading in the area, WHO classified the outbreak as “a public health emergency of international concern”.

Brazil is the most affected country in Latin America, as it already struggles with the worst recessionary period in almost one century.

Despite President Dilma Rousseff declaring a “wage war” against the disease, experts are concerned that tourist numbers, revenues and Brazilian economy will be significantly affected, especially because the country is preparing to host both Rio Carnival and Rio Summer Olympics in August.

Mario Andrada, spokesman of the Olympic declared that the top “priority is the health of the athletes, the health of all Brazilians and protection for all those who work at the Olympics”.

“We are sure this battle can be won and will not affect the Games,” he stated during a press conference, while, alike health officials and organizers, he encouraged carnival and Olypic Games visitors to take Aedes aegypti mosquito precautions.

Brazil expects 400,000 Olympic Games tourists to arrive in August and accommodate in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, two of the country's most popular cities.