SPORTS
Aussie Olympic doctor says Rio water bigger worry than Zika
Baku, February 11, AZERTAC
The Australian team's medical director says water quality will be more of a threat to the health of athletes and officials at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro than the mosquito-borne Zika virus, according to The Associated Press.
Dr. David Hughes said cases of pregnancy aside, the Zika virus usually results in a mild infection, and 80 percent of those infected often do not get serious symptoms.
Zika, however, is suspected of causing microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head, and pregnant women are urged to avoid travel to affected areas.
In a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Hughes said the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay and aquatic venues for other Olympic events in August were another matter when it comes to the threat of illness.
"If someone gets a nasty gastro infection, vomiting and diarrhea, it's not ideal for competing in an Olympic environment," Hughes said.
Testing of Guanabara Bay conducted by the AP over the last year shows disease-causing viruses linked to human sewage at levels well above what would be considered alarming in the U.S. or Europe. The tests include the venue for sailing, but also Rio's Olympic venues for rowing, canoeing, open-water swimming and triathlon.
"Rio poses a multitude of medical challenges when it comes to keeping our athletes and officials safe," Hughes said. "We have had many teams go to Rio, we are aware of the water quality issues. We have protocols in place to minimize the risk, but you can't make the risk zero."
Hughes said he had been contacted by several Australia athletes and officials in the past several days over the Zika virus, but none had indicated they would not travel to Brazil in August.