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OLYMPICS
International Olympic Committee

Olympic officials monitoring spread of Zika virus before Rio Games

Rachel Axon
USA TODAY Sports

With the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro just more than six months away, the U.S. Olympic Committee is monitoring developments regarding the spread of the Zika virus in South America.

A general view of the city of Rio de Janiero and Sugarloaf Mountain at the mouth of Guanabara Bay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning earlier this month, advising pregnant women to avoid travel to countries there because the mosquito-borne virus has been linked to birth defects. According to the World Health Organization, it has spread to 21 countries, including Brazil, since May.

“We are closely monitoring the situation through the CDC and have ongoing contact with the International Olympic Committee, the organizing officials in Rio, the World Health Organization and infectious disease specialists with expertise in tropical diseases, including the Zika virus,” USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky said. “Additionally, we’re taking steps to ensure that our delegation and those affiliated with Team USA are aware of the CDC’s recommendations regarding travel to Brazil.”

The Olympics are scheduled for Aug. 5-21 in Rio. Organizers there have committed to daily inspections of the Olympic venues to try look for stagnant water where the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread the virus can breed.

WHO: Zika virus 'spreading explosively' in Americas

The timing of the Games comes during Brazil’s dry season, when the mosquito population is expected to be smaller. The Aedes aegypti mosquitos also spread the dengue and chikungunya viruses.

United, a USOC sponsor, has said it will allow customers to cancel or postpone their trips if they are scheduled to travel to affected areas included in the CDC alert. American has said it will do the same for customers to four destinations in Central America.

There is no vaccine for the virus. The CDC has advised travelers to affected countries to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, including: using insect repellants, wearing long sleeves and pants, using air conditioning and screens to keep mosquitos out and if that is not possible sleeping under a mosquito net.

Zika virus confirmed in Arkansas, Virginia

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 people infected with the Zika virus will become ill. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain and headache. The illness is usually mild.

Brazil estimates that as many as 1.3 million people have been infected with the Zika virus, according to the Associated Press. The Zika virus is linked to microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies have smaller heads and brains that might not develop properly, as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that can cause paralysis.

Governments in South America, including Brazil and Columbia, are advising women not to get pregnant during the outbreak. El Salvador has advised women not to become pregnant until 2018.

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