The British Olympic Association has issued a special health advice bulletin to sports national governing bodies and team members over the Zika virus ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in six months’ time.
The BOA advice is equally applicable to SJA members and other accredited media who will be travelling to Brazil to work at the Games.
There is growing global concern about the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis. In May last year, the Pan American Health Organization issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil.
Yesterday, the BOA issued a statement in which Bill Sweeney, the chief executive, said, “Given the ongoing concerns over the Zika virus outbreak, the BOA has been working closely with the British Paralympic Association and the home country sports institutes to develop a specific guidance note, drawing on all the latest medical advice.
“The guidance note reaffirms the facts about Zika and focuses on mosquito bite prevention strategies which are key. It also recommends that individuals adopt the latest Government advice, which advises that pregnant women should consider their travel options to areas with active Zika transmission, and anyone who does decide to go should seek travel health advice from their GP or a travel clinic well in advance of their trip.”
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