I mentioned the Aedes aegypti in a previous blog post, and I think it’s important to mention that Zika can manifest itself much like Dengue fever. Dengue fever is mosquito-borne and is caused by the dengue virus. Like Zika, Dengue is not necessarily deadly, but such ailments can include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and skin rashes. Thankfully, while a vaccine for Dengue isn’t currently commercially available, three countries have facilities that allow medical professionals to administer the cure to those infected.

Another similar virus to Zika and Dengue is Chikungunya. Like the other two viruses, Chikungunya is passed through the Aedes Aegypti, but unlike Dengue (which is only passed through primates), this virus can infect a whole population of animals. One of the commonalities among these three viruses is the onset of joint pain, rashes, and fevers. This is precisely why it is difficult to distinguish one from the other two. Practitioners are often able to rule out certain ailments, but never with 100% certainty. Thus, cures for all three of these viruses should be fully developed.

As the Rio Olympics will continue to be held in Brazil, it is important to note that, given the expansive concentration of people and the geographical location, individuals who attend the event are at an accelerated risk for contracting Zika. In order to ward off against this virus (and the other two mentioned), it is imperative for those who plan on watching the games in person to adequately assess the risks before attending. This is the only surefire way to contain this virus.