Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's health ministry said on Thursday it will launch a smartphone application to track the Zika virus during the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and help visitors detect the disease.
The app will provide information on preventing Zika, ask users about their health and if necessary direct them to the nearest pharmacy or hospital via GPS.
It will be available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian, as well as Portuguese, and go online in May, the ministry said, as Brazil counts down to the opening ceremony on August 5.
Besides the virtual diagnosis, it will also feature a quiz in the form of an Olympics-inspired video game.
Brazil sounded the alarm over Zika when health officials noticed the mosquito-borne virus appeared to be causing a sharp rise in babies born with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads.
The flu-like disease, whose primary symptoms are relatively mild, has also been linked to nerve disorders in adults.
The World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency over the apparent link between Zika and microcephaly.
Health Minister Marcelo Castro emphasized that "the risk of infection will be considerably reduced" during the Olympics, which will be held during the southern hemisphere winter, when there are fewer mosquitoes.
But the situation remains "very worrying," he said.
Brazil has registered 1.5 million cases of Zika since detecting the outbreak last year.
It has confirmed 907 cases of microcephaly since October and is investigating nearly 4,300 suspected cases -- a sharp rise from the 147 cases registered in 2014.
The app will provide information on preventing Zika, ask users about their health and if necessary direct them to the nearest pharmacy or hospital via GPS.
It will be available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian, as well as Portuguese, and go online in May, the ministry said, as Brazil counts down to the opening ceremony on August 5.
Brazil sounded the alarm over Zika when health officials noticed the mosquito-borne virus appeared to be causing a sharp rise in babies born with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads.
Advertisement
The World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency over the apparent link between Zika and microcephaly.
Advertisement
But the situation remains "very worrying," he said.
Advertisement
It has confirmed 907 cases of microcephaly since October and is investigating nearly 4,300 suspected cases -- a sharp rise from the 147 cases registered in 2014.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Brazilian Football Great Zico Robbed In Paris Ahead Of Paris Olympics 2024 Tokyo Games: Malcom Hits Extra-Time Winner As Brazil Retain Olympic Crown Tokyo Olympics: Brazil Edge Mexico On Penalties To Reach Men's Football Final On CCTV, Murdered Woman's Last Moments In Bengaluru Hostel A House For Rahul Gandhi, Leader Of Opposition In Lok Sabha For BJP And Allies, Maharashtra Seat-Sharing Hits A Math Barrier Kerala Court Gives Madhya Pradesh Man 33-Year Jail Term For Raping Girl BJP "Totally Failed As Opposition": Ex Karnataka Minister Attacks Own Party "Should I Send Them To Lahore?": Bhagwant Mann On Protesting Farmers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.