The Brazilian government has failed to live up to commitments to modernize infrastructure. Rio de Janeiro still dumps raw sewage, including hospital waste, into Guanabara Bay, the venue for several Olympic events.
In addition to the widely reported Zika virus epidemic, scientists have now reported detection of superbug K. pneumoniae carbapenemase, for which there are no effective antibiotic therapies and which can lead to significant (50%+) mortality in hospital settings.
CRE-infected US residents would return to the US mainland for treatment. CRE is a looming disaster for our healthcare system; high-level isolation is required, and other patients can be infected despite safeguards.
Zika & CRE are public health nightmares which can be avoided, as a recent petition to WHO said. We should.