(WXYZ) – Australian Grand Slam champion Bernard Tomic spoke out about the recent outbreak of Measles in Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a potential outbreak elsewhere in the world.
Earlier this year it was reported that Rafael Nadal’s father/coach, Toni, was allegedly contacted by officials from the Tennis Association of Australia (TA) following Measles outbreaks in Germany and Switzerland.
According to the Telegraph, at least one parent of a 4-year-old child has fallen ill.
TA CEO Craig Tiley said last month it is possible the two incidents could lead to a larger outbreak, just one day after WADA chief David Howman warned the world of a possible global flu epidemic.
Why are people talking about Measles?
Dr. Robert Tam, a Sydney-based infectious disease expert, says the World Health Organization has estimated that a global Measles outbreak could have up to 100 million infections.
After the WHO issued the warning, many athletes have been advised to receive a preventative vaccination.
One of the athletes who has refused to do so is Australian 20-year-old up-and-coming tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
World tennis sensation Alexander Zverev was advised to get the shot in February by his father, who is a long-time tennis official.
But Zverev’s dad told him that getting the shot would be doing “the world a favor.”
Tsitsipas, who is ranked 76th in the world, explained that unless it became mandatory, he would refuse to get the vaccine, stating that he did not want the shot to be a risk to his health.