TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
How to stay safe from Zika virus when traveling to Rio Olympics
A stark warning to all people attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has been issued by travel safety specialists beTravelwise.
Change Size
An athlete holds Olympic rings above a city skyline view of Two Brothers Mountain reflecting in Lagoa de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Shutterstock.com/lazyllama)
A
stark warning to all people attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has been issued by travel safety specialists beTravelwise. The warning includes always having mosquito repellent to hand, practicing safe sex or abstaining completely to minimize the risk of catching any illness in the country, the birthplace of the Zika virus.
The UK-based company also released an informational animation on YouTube to help prevent mosquito bites when in the country. The tips include always having mosquito repellent on, spraying your room with bug spray everytime you leave the room, keeping the temperature in your room low as mosquitoes are repelled by low temperatures and always having a mosquito net when you go to sleep at night. This message applies to all people traveling to the Olympic games, from athletes to tourists, as everyone is vulnerable to the deadly Zika virus.
(Read also: Going to the Olympics? Some health risks to consider)
The Zika virus is most notable for its role in causing microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which a baby's skull is much smaller than expected because the brain hasn't developed properly, according to the Associated Press. It can also lead to the rare neurological disorder Guillian-Barre syndrome. Pregnant women and all those planning pregnancy are advised to use caution when exploring Zika-infected areas, which now includes several countries across the Americas.
However, there is no reason why other travelers, such as Olympic games-goers, should postpone their holiday . On the contrary it is quite safe, as long as the proper precautions are taken to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition to practicing safe sex and using mosquito repellent, another form of prevention is always wearing long -leeved clothing. (ken/kes)
