AUSTRALIA'S Olympic federation has decided to issue its athletes going to this year's games in Brazil extra-strong condoms Rio to minimise any infection from the Zika virus which has become the latest global health scare.
Spread by mosquitoes, the Zika virus which is blamed for birth defects in babies born to women infected with it. Brazil has been the epicentre of the outbreak of the disease and given that the country is hosting this year's Olympics, the Australian authorities have decided not to leave anything to chance.
Olympians will be issued with free super-strength condoms in Rio to minimise any infection from the Zika virus. While condoms will be available in dispensing machines in the Olympic village, Australia is taking no chances by supplying its own extra-strong variety for what officials call peace of mind.
They have teamed up with manufacturer Starpharma, which says its condoms contain a lubricant that protects against sexually-transmitted diseases and has near-complete anti-viral protection against Zika virus in laboratory studies. There has been widespread anxiety globally surrounding the threat of Zika, which is rampant in Brazil.
Kitty Chiller, Australia's Olympic team’s chef de mission, said: “The health and well-being of the team comes first. Our association with Starpharma will provide extra protection for everyone on the team and is a common sense approach to a very serious problem we are facing in Rio.”
As well as causing the birth defect micro cephalic in babies born to women infected with the virus, Zika has also been linked to the rare but serious neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Last week, the World Health Organisation advised pregnant women not to travel to Rio and urged athletes and visitors to take precautions to avoid infection.
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