Interim President Michel Temer told the International Olympic Committee that Brazil’s change of government will not interrupt preparations for the Rio 2016 Games, newly appointed Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said on Monday, as he denied conflict of interest in Olympic works.
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The condoms with VivaGel, which are now sold only in Australia, will be given to the athletes aiming to decrease the chances of them getting infected with the Zika virus. However, the virus has been linked to a birth defect that causes babies to be born with unusually small heads. The special anti-viral condoms that will be given to Australia’s Olympic athletes goes beyond the recommended precautionary measure of using liberal doses of bug spray to ensure that the country’s athletes will be protected from the mosquito-borne disease, according to ABC News.
Starpharma Holdings and condom maker Ansell are producing the Dual Protect condoms that use VivaGel, a lubricant that contains an active ingredient SPL7013, which is an antiviral agent that attaches to viruses so they can not attach to human cells.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says the more that is known about the Zika virus and particularly its impact on pregnant women, the more worrisome it becomes.
Dual Protect™ is the world’s only antiviral condom, which is now marketed by Ansell in Australia. The Dual Protect VivaGel condoms are the world’s only antiviral condom, offer users double protection thanks to the condom’s latex material and antiviral gel.
Australia’s Olympians will get extra protection in Rio when they are issued with free condoms touted as helping prevent the sexual transmission of the Zika virus. The studies reportedly showed “near complete antiviral protection” at concentrations “significantly below that used in the VivaGel condom”.
“The health and wellbeing of the team comes first and our association with Starpharma will provide extra protection for everyone on the team”, she said.
Starpharma says the 1500 plus condoms – to be distributed among the 137 athletes – feature an anti-bacterial lubricant, making them more effective in stopping the spread of the virus.
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The company “has not yet applied for or received regulatory certification regarding Zika virus activity of VivaGel®”, according to Starpharma. Anti-viral treatments have not been advised to use.
