The World Health Organization says it "never advised against viral testing" for Rio de Janeiro's polluted waterways where about 1,400 athletes will compete in Olympic events next year, AP reported. WHO told The Associated Press Friday that monitoring for viruses "would be advisable." The statement comes after Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said this week the International Olympic Committee ruled out viral testing after the WHO made it clear to them that bacterial testing was what "should be followed." The issue of viral testing is in the spotlight following an independent AP analysis of Rio's Olympic waterways that showed dangerously high levels of disease-causing viruses at all water venues for next year's games. Bruce Gordon, WHO's top water expert, says the agency "absolutely cares about viral pathogens" and knows viruses are in the waters. -- SPA 21:58 LOCAL TIME 18:58 GMT تغريد
