The Zika virus claims another victim: it has forced the MLB to relocate the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates series to Miami
Baseball players are used to playing in a variety of conditions. Sometimes games are super hot, and other times they are freezing cold.
Other times, there isn’t a cloud in the sky and its perfect weather, and then sometimes it’s pouring rain like it’s Noah’s Ark.
Regardless of the conditions, baseball players pretty much have to just go out and play, unless there is a threat to their health.
MLB, @MLB_PLAYERS postpone 2-game series in Puerto Rico between @Pirates, @Marlins; May 30-31 games move to Miami. https://t.co/WnlebSSq3Z
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2016
The MLB announced today that they decided to relocate the series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins to Miami. The series was originally supposed to be played at the end of May in Puerto Rico, but the MLB has concerns about spreading the Zika virus to its players.
According to the CDC, the Zika virus is spread by a specific species of infected mosquito. If infected with the virus, the symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and the reddening of eyes. Additionally, the CDC has stated that people infected with Zika usually do not have to go to the hospital, and it is very rare for a person to die from the disease. However, it is worth noting that if a person gets infected with the disease while pregnant it can cause serious birth defects.
Although it will be an inconvenience to the fans that have already bought tickets and arranged travel plans to Puerto Rico, the MLB made the tough decision to rule in favor of player and fan safety. While the chances of something serious developing from the Zika virus is low, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
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