As Fiji prepares its athletes for the sprint to the finishing line, medical officials have conducted an assessment of the risk posed by Zika virus to the Fijian contingent and visitors at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.
The Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services Jone Usamate said, “A medical team has been preparing and will be part of the Fijian team going to the Rio Olympics. Team Fiji has been fully briefed on the personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites, including using insect repellents,” said the Minister. Mr Usamate added that “the risk of importation of Zika by returning athletes and visitors is acknowledged and has been stressed to the medical team and athletes. The Ministry envisages further discussions on health protection with the Rio Olympics medical team leading up to the date of departure.”
Zika is primarily spread by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is active during the day. All travellers to Brazil and the Americas should cover up with long sleeved, light coloured clothing, long pants and skirts and remember to use insect repellent throughout the day and evening. Athletes and tourists staying in air-conditioned accommodation with running water are generally well protected from mosquito bites while in their room.
With less than 100 days left to this biggest of sporting events, the Brazilian Government is taking comprehensive and aggressive measures to combat the mosquitos that transmits Zika virus. The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees and the Rio Organizing Committee are collaborating to minimize the likelihood of visitors contracting Zika during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Although WHO has not recommended travel or trade restrictions due to Zika virus, Dr Liu Yunguo, the WHO Representative in Fiji, stressed that “prevention is key in the fight against the spread of Zika. All people travelling to countries with known Zika virus transmission should be vigilant and take the recommended measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites.” WHO recommends that repellents should contain DEET or Icaridin (also known as Picaridin) or IR 3535. These are the most common biologically active ingredients in insect repellents.
“WHO recommends that all travellers to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Americas follow the travel advice provided by their health authorities. Pregnant women, whose unborn babies appear to be at the highest risk of the complications caused by Zika virus, should consult their doctor before travelling,” said Dr Liu.
Although the virus can sometimes be transmitted sexually, most cases of Zika occur following the bite of mosquitoes carrying Zika virus. Infection with Zika virus usually causes relatively minor symptoms including rash, fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and joint pain. Zika can spread quickly without warning in part because most infected people have mild symptoms or none at all. However, there is now scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly (babies born with abnormally small heads and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder causing muscle weakness which can be severe (paralysis) in some people. Most cases of GBS make a good recovery over time.
The public is urged to contact the Ministry of Health and Medical Services should they require more information on Zika.