Brazil Looking to Fight Zika Virus Ahead of 2016 Rio Olympics

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The Zika virus, spread by mosquitos, has been running rampant in Brazil recently and the International Olympic Committee as well as the hosts for the 2016 Rio Olympics are looking at ways to fight the virus ahead of this August according to Inside the Games.

“Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vowed to wage a “house-by-house fight” against the virus ahead of the Olympics and the IOC’s Medical and Scientific Commission”

“In general, the Brazilian authorities are taking significant steps to deal with Zika, as they have recently announced that over 200,000 members of the armed forces and health workers will be engaged across the country, going from house to house to distribute leaflets and dispense advice about how to combat the mosquitos and the virus,” IOC Medical and Scientific Commission Chair Ugur Erdener told Inside the Games.

Erdener also explained that plenty of health-based measures have been put into place even prior to the introduction of the Zika virus.

“A plan has already been put in place for the Games venues in the lead up to and at Games time, which will see them inspected on a daily basis in order to ensure that any puddles of stagnant water – where the mosquitos breed – are removed, therefore minimising the risk of athletes and visitors coming into contact with mosquitos,” Erdener said. “Rio 2016 will also continue to follow the virus prevention and control measures provided by the authorities, and will provide the relevant guidance to Games athletes and visitors. It is also important to note that the Rio 2016 Games will take place during the winter months of August and September, when the drier, cooler climate significantly reduces the presence of mosquitos and therefore the risk of infection.”

The Zika virus comes with symptoms that include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The most scary part of the virus is that it can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected. So, pregnant women are being told to take extra precautions if they head to Rio.

Full Inside the Games article.

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