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Zika under the microscope/caption
Every day more news about
Rios woes regarding the upcoming Olympics is published online. Its become clear that going to the games as an athlete or a spectator just might be hazardous to your health.
The dangers include a raging Zika epidemic water contamination air pollution and security concerns. Despite the calls to cancel the Olympics for these reasons Brazil and the International Olympic Committee say the show must go on. What precautions then should be taken by the competitors and tourists to stay safe and healthy?
1. ZIKA VIRUS
As the CDC learns more about the
Zika virus obviously a
mutated version of the original there are more and more concerns: More species of mosquitoes that might carry it more types of sexually activity that could spread it and the unknown long-term developmental effects on infected infants even those that are born appearing normal.
Athletes and tourists should:
• Stay indoors whenever possible
• Use mosquito repellent whenever outside or in any areas without screens.
• Avoid areas with standing water
• Wear long pants and sleeves
• Treat clothing with permethrin a long-lasting pesticide
• Use pesticide-treated bed netting if not staying in air-conditioned hotels
• Use condoms (standard issue for this years athletes) or abstain from sex
2. OTHER DISEASES
Zika virus isnt the only infection that visitors to Brazil should be concerned about. Malaria Yellow Fever Hepatitis A and B Dengue and Typhoid fever are some of the other diseases found in the region. Some of these are spread by mosquitoes others by food and water contamination and some by sexual activity.
Vaccines exist for a number of these issues such as Hepatitis and Yellow Fever. Others can be prevented by medications such as malaria. Every athlete and visitor To Brazil should contact their physician to see what precautions are appropriate for the trip.
3. WATER CONTAMINATION
The waters of Guanabara Bay and other venues for sailors kayakers canoers and open-water swimmers in the Rio Olympics are notoriously filthy due to raw sewage that is constantly released into them. Bacterial and viral counts performed by researchers including a study commissioned by the Associated Press found quantities that might be considered a natural disaster in the U.S. The adjective used for the amount of viruses was astronomical".
The old saying Dont drink the water" goes double no triple for your trip to the Rio Games. Its thought that drinking just
three teaspoons of the water has a 99 per cent chance of causing an infection. Dr. Valerie Harwood of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida goes as far to say Dont put your head under water.
Among the germs is rotavirus the most common cause of gastroenteritis. In last years Junior Rowing Championships a dozen U.S. team members got sick.
This years team will be protected with a newly-designed anti-microbial training suit. If youre just an average tourist at the beach however even wet sand has high levels of microbes.
Drink only bottled water and if youre going into the water put that bottle in a plastic bag first. The outside of the bottle could become contaminated if it becomes wet. Have hand sanitizers available and wash wet clothing. Dont forget to use bottled water when brushing your teeth. Ask for your drinks with no ice".
4. AIR POLLUTION
The
air quality in Rio isnt as bad as it was in the Beijing Summer Games but its unacceptable by U.S. standards and much worse than any other Olympics. Particulate matter from the many vehicles in the city is often at dangerously high levels and responsible for more deaths there than the water.
When youre not in an air-conditioned building you might consider wearing a face mask to avoid the pollutants. If youre a Westerner you might not be accustomed to this practice but its common in many Asian countries.
5. SECURITY ISSUES
A striking scene recently greeted arrivals to Rios airport: A group of law enforcement officers with a sign that read Welcome to Hell whoever comes to Rio De Janeiro will not be safe." Indeed Rio de Janeiro is a hotbed of crime with entire favelas (low-income neighborhoods) completely under the control of organized gangs. Brazils financial woes have caused funding problems for local police although the city says that its added much more security for the Games.
Despite this be situationally aware. That means keeping an eye on unusual activity or individuals not acting normally. You might consider carrying a small flashlight; some have a strobe function that emits a bright flashing light which might discourage the opportunistic criminal. In any case have a plan of action in case of trouble.
The
CDC recommends among other things that you:
• Avoid travel at night
• Keep your hotel room locked
• Dont wear fine jewelry
• Avoid risky areas
• Always travel with a companion
• Carry copies but not originals of important documents when you travel outside
Still going to the Olympics? Some might say that youll never have to prove your courage in any other way but with a few precautions you can stay healthy and safe.
Joe Alton MD is a disaster/epidemic preparedness expert and author of The Zika Virus Handbook.
