South African athletes and officials travelling to Brazil have been warned to take precautions because of the Zika virus.
The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said in a statement on Thursday it had “engaged with” with the Health Department‚ which had recommended measures for those going there for test events and preparation ahead of the Rio Games in August.
They should:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing;
- Apply an insect-repellant containing DEET to exposed skin;
- Sleep under mosquito nets treated with an approved insecticide;
- Spray their rooms with an insecticide after closing doors and windows; and
- Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.
Sascoc added that athletes and officials should pay attention to their health after returning from Brazil for 12 days and seek urgent medical attention if they develop fever‚ a rash‚ joint and muscle pain‚ conjunctivitis or headaches.
Concern over the mosquito-borne virus is growing and most recently the coach of heptathlon star‚ Jessica Ennis-Hill‚ called on the British team to move their preparation camp out of Brazil.
A major concern is the apparent link between the virus and a birth defect where the infant has an abnormally small head.
It has been reported that the US Olympic Committee has told sports federations that worried athletes and officials should consider not going to the Olympics‚ and a Kenyan Olympic Committee official said the team might withdraw from Rio.
The Health Department is advising pregnant women not to travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is occurring‚ and all travellers to Brazil should get yellow fever vaccinations at least 10 days before departure.
“Furthermore‚ Sascoc will be engaging and cooperating with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca) who are also monitoring the situation in Brazil‚” Sascoc president Gideon Sam was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Sascoc will be guided by recommendations.”
South African athletes warned over Zika virus ahead of Rio Olympics
The SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said in a statement on Thursday it had “engaged with” with the Health Department‚ which had recommended measures for those going there for test events and preparation ahead of the Rio Games in August.
They should:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing;
- Apply an insect-repellant containing DEET to exposed skin;
- Sleep under mosquito nets treated with an approved insecticide;
- Spray their rooms with an insecticide after closing doors and windows; and
- Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.
Sascoc added that athletes and officials should pay attention to their health after returning from Brazil for 12 days and seek urgent medical attention if they develop fever‚ a rash‚ joint and muscle pain‚ conjunctivitis or headaches.
Concern over the mosquito-borne virus is growing and most recently the coach of heptathlon star‚ Jessica Ennis-Hill‚ called on the British team to move their preparation camp out of Brazil.
A major concern is the apparent link between the virus and a birth defect where the infant has an abnormally small head.
It has been reported that the US Olympic Committee has told sports federations that worried athletes and officials should consider not going to the Olympics‚ and a Kenyan Olympic Committee official said the team might withdraw from Rio.
The Health Department is advising pregnant women not to travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is occurring‚ and all travellers to Brazil should get yellow fever vaccinations at least 10 days before departure.
“Furthermore‚ Sascoc will be engaging and cooperating with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca) who are also monitoring the situation in Brazil‚” Sascoc president Gideon Sam was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Sascoc will be guided by recommendations.”
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