The sweltering heat and the intense tied game for Team USA are just some of the latest news from the World Cup. Now, fears of a contagious virus are growing. INSIDE EDITION reports.
After that stunning last-second tie in the World Cup, fears are now being raised about a contagious virus that could end up in the USA.
There are now calls for a nationwide health alert, warning that fans returning to the America may bring back the Chikungunya or Chik-V virus, spread by mosquitoes in Brazil.
We asked ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser about the symptoms of this hazardous virus.
Dr. Besser said, "There's a big concern that Chikungunya will come to the United States, and I don't think that there's anything we can do to stop it."
Watch What Else Besser Told INSIDE EDITION
Dr. Besser explained, "It gives you a high fever. But the big thing with this is joint pain that covers many of your joints, and that joint pain for some people lasts for months."
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York added his voice to the growing menace, saying, "The World Cup will serve as fertile ground for the virus to spread."
Meanwhile, U.S. fans are still reeling after Sunday night's 2-2 tie with Portugal. The game was the highest rated World Cup match ever on ESPN with an estimated 16 million viewers. Everywhere, huge crowds gathered to watch, from Chicago, to New York to Kansas City. Everywhere, the reaction to the last second tie was the same, from utter elation to total shock. Videos on YouTube show reaction from fans around the country.
It was played in the searing heat and humidity of Manaus, Brazil, gateway to the Amazon jungle.
Things got so bad that the referee actually stopped play for a water break—the first in World Cup history.
One announcer commented, "The sweat is dripping off everybody, including your commentators."
INSIDE EDITION spoke by phone to Korey Donahoe, a fan from Lincoln, Nebraska, who was in the sweltering stadium.
"You were sweating the minute you went outside. I mean, you're in the middle of the rain forest," said Donahoe.
And during a broadcast, ESPN's Jeremy Schapp had two huge jungle moths actually clinging to his shoulder and his microphone right before the match. He reported, "I've got readings of up to 105 degrees."
A steaming hot day with an ending no one can ever forget.
