Risk of Getting Zika Virus at Rio Olympics Is Relatively Small, Says WHO Ziona Eyob - AskMen
go to original July 21, 2016

The good news: an outbreak of Zika at the Rio Olympics is highly unlikely. The bad news: Brazil's devastated economy, corrupt and broken political machine, and waters poisoned with raw sewage that will make athletes and tourists sick. (SB Nation)

Zika first appeared in the news cycle in January 2016, when images of infants with microcephaly surfaced - a birth defect that affects head size and brain function - indicating that the virus could be transferred from mother to fetus. The virus can also be contracted from mosquito bites, from semen through sexual activity, and possibly from blood transfusions as well.

With the Rio Olympics coming up, and loads of tourists and athletes making their way to the city home to the largest carnival in the world, the WHO conducted their own analysis of the upcoming scenario, concluding that the risk of contracting the virus would be less than likely because the sporting event would be taking place during Brazil’s winter season, when mosquito activity is typically low.

The WHO, is, however, warning travelers to take extra precautions against health care issues of higher prevalence in the region, like diarrhea, sunstroke and road accidents. Traces of raw sewage has been detected on sites where water sporting events are expected to take place in Rio, while extreme temperatures and poor road conditions could affect people’s health during their stay. The WHO is also underlining the importance of being up to date on vaccines before coming to (or in) Brazil.

... Zika often goes undetected as symptoms are often rare, but the most common symptoms tend to be a fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eye). Other symptoms include muscle pain and headache, and can last anywhere from several days to one week.

Read the rest at AskMen

Related: Mexico’s Olympians Get Condoms Over Zika Fears (Agence France-Presse)

Related: How the Zika Virus Is Impacting Summer Travel (Consumer Reports)

Related: When It Comes to Raising a Child Disabled by Zika, Brazilian Women Often do It Alone (The Los Angeles Times)

Related: Zika Outbreak to End in Two to Three Years, Scientists Predict (Channel NewsAsia)

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