While condoms will be available in dispensing
machines in the Olympic village, Australia is taking no chances, providing
extra protection by supplying their own extra-strong variety "for peace of
mind".
SYDNEY:
Australia’s Olympians will be issued with free super-strength condoms in Rio to
minimise any infection from the Zika virus, officials said Monday.
Brazil
has been the epicentre of the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, which is
blamed for birth defects in babies born to women infected with the virus.
While
condoms will be available in dispensing machines in the Olympic village,
Australia is taking no chances, providing extra protection by supplying their
own extra-strong variety “for 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”.
“The
health and well-being of the team comes first,” said the Olympic team’s chef de
mission Kitty Chiller.
“Our
association with Starpharma will provide extra protection for everyone on the
team, and is a commonsense approach to a very serious problem we are facing in
Rio.”
There has
been widespread anxiety globally surrounding the threat of Zika, which is
rampant in Brazil.
As well
as causing the birth defect microcephaly in babies born to women infected with
the virus, it 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 by Zika.
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