Zika Virus Prevention Tactics At The Olympics
The games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro begin on Friday, August 5, 2016.
206 countries have qualified with approximately 10,500 athletes expected to participate. The lead up to the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro have not gone without concern unfortunately. Typical problems for host cities, such as traffic impacts and delayed stadium construction exist. However, additional challenges include a declining economy, pollution and polluted waters near Olympic venues, and the fear of Zika have bedeviled Rio De Janeiro. Unfortunately, Brazil is the epicenter of Zika, naturally health officials are concerned about athletes health and the fear of global pandemic.
A recent article by Canadian lawyer and Professor of Law and Population Health, Amir Attaran, in published in the Harvard Public Health Review, suggests that the 2016 Olympics should be “postponed, moved, or both,” because the Zika infection is more dangerous than health officials originally predicted. One of the reasons Amir Attaran suggests postponing or moving the Olympics is the fear of spreading Zika at a much faster pace. This sounds logical as Rio de Janeiro is expected to have 500,000 + visitors from all over the world for the Olympics.
Olympic and Brazilian organizers have repeatedly said the Olympic games will go on and reportedly have taken “aggressive measures” to combat Zika, such as deploying mosquito abatement teams and developing Zika outreach materials for athletes and visitors.
Even with the “precautions” by the Olympic and Brazilian organizers, some of the top Olympic events like track and field, swimming, futbol, and beach volleyball take place in open-air venues, which increases exposure to Aedes mosquitos carrying Zika.
But how are participating countries in the Olympics protecting their athletes and what kind of individual precautions are athletes taking? Below are three approaches:
The South Korean Olympic committee has reportedly developed “Zika-proof” clothing for their athletes to wear during training and opening ceremonies. This was achieved by incorporating mosquito repellent chemicals into the clothing.
Zika can also be sexually transmitted. While approximately 450,000 male and female condoms will be provided by Olympic officials, team Australia has “upped” their condom game. Australian officials have taken the contraceptive approach to fighting Zika by supplying their athletes with “Zika-proof” condoms.
CNN reports that The Dual Protect condom will be given to Australian athletes which will have an anti-viral lubricant to protect against Zika.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Olympic Committee is only providing guidance, information and Zika facts to their athletes and letting the athletes make their own decision to participate in the Olympic games or not. However, the Center for Disease Control has advised that athletes who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (including their male partners) shortly after the Olympics to use extreme caution while there.
Some U.S. athletes committed to participating in the Olympic games are taking standard precautions such as applying mosquito repellent to their skin and clothing, wearing long-sleeve pants and shirts while out and about, and or staying inside as long as possible when not training or competing.
Other U.S. athletes are taking the “whatever happens, happens” approach and entrusting their health to the Olympic and Brazilian governing bodies to control Zika.
While the U.S. Olympic Committee is only providing guidance to the athletes, they have said if athletes are concerned about the Zika virus, then they should not attend.
With approximately 77 days left until opening ceremonies, it will be interesting to see how other countries and athletes develop strategies to combat Zika.
