The Rio 2016 organising committee is worried about the rapid spread of the Zika virus in Brazil, but said on Tuesday (February 2) it has not yet seen evidence of people cancelling travel plans to attend the Olympics in August.
The Brazilian government, however, is recommending that pregnant women stay away because the virus has been linked to birth defects in thousands of new-borns in Brazil, which could lead to less visitors for the Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian officials said the Zika outbreak, which has rapidly spread through the Americas, is expected to cause a dip in tourism to countries where the virus is present.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday (February 2) called the Zika virus an international health emergency that could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas.
The virus has raised questions worldwide about whether pregnant women should avoid infected countries. Expecting mothers in the early months of gestation are most at risk of infection with Zika, which is thought to slow the growth of the brain of the fetus at a crucial stage of development.
In a media briefing about the mosquito-borne virus, the head of communications of Rio's Olympic organising committee Mario Andrada said it was important to focus on the mosquito that spreads the disease and getting care for those infected.
"The point is making sure that we win the battle against the mosquito, making sure that the people who have already been infected, especially the women and their kids; if and when affected, get the best assistance possible. So we have to focus on the big picture," he said.
The WHO said on Monday (February 1) that delaying travel was something pregnant women could consider, but added that if they needed to travel they should take protective measures by covering up and using mosquito repellent.
Doctor Joao Grangeiro, head of the organising committee's health department, told reporters at the media briefing that they were not concerned to the point of advising women to avoid Brazil during the Games.
"This is very important, to deal with this stress over the Zika virus. It is very important to understand the situation. So, the information should be given by the public authorities and the World Health Organisation. So far we are not so afraid in terms of not advising the people to come to Rio during the Games," he said.
Brazil has reported some 3,700 suspected cases of babies born with abnormally small heads, a neurological condition called microcephaly.
The Rio 2016 committee said it would follow travel guidelines issued by the WHO, which had not yet recommended any restriction on travel to Brazil. The committee's spokesman said they believe colder and drier weather in August will reduce cases of Zika in Rio.
Since it appeared din Brazil in May, Zika has spread to 24 countries and territories in the Americas. Top U.S. airlines are currently promising refunds for tickets to the region.