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Avoiding Zombie Outbreak During Olympics, Top Priority in China

Reports of 22 dead, possibly living dead, have been reported by a news agency in Fuyang, just one of 15 provinces of Anhui, located south of Beijing. What started as an outbreak of a simple virus, Enterovirus 71 (E-71) has now infected over 3,000 victims. A small pandemic just before the Summer Olympics has its opening ceremonies in Beijing on August 8th.

Most cases simply manifest through cold-like symptoms. Serious cases cause a fluid buildup in the brain. While most adult’s immune systems can fight off the virus, many children fall victim to the zombie-like infection caused by E-71. Many young gymnastics competitors from all over the world are at risk. A young, athletic zombie could spell an outbreak of epic proportions.

This is not the first, but the fourth such outbreak since 1998. However, with all the world’s eyes on China leading up the Olympics, officials agree that it is imperative that this outbreak of E-71 is contained. As a preventative measure, the eastern Anhui Province changed the public health emergency status from Class 3 to Class 2. This allows the quarantine of patients.

The World Health Organization expects the number of patients to grow over the next two months. A statement by WHO states, "Chinese health authorities have put in place targeted prevention and control measures in Fuyang city and Anhui province, including enhanced surveillance, training of health care workers at all levels in treatment, prevention and control, strengthening of environmental health management and the supervision and monitoring of drinking water quality.” They also stress that “a public awareness campaign is ongoing, stressing the need for good personal hygiene, mostly by hand washing.”

Tags: Beijing, China, E-71, Enterovirus 71, Olympics, summer olympics