Starpharma has also recently announced that the antiviral active, VivaGel®, showed near-complete antiviral protection against Zika virus in laboratory studies at levels significantly below the concentration in the Dual Protect™ condom.
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The free condom dispensing machines will be available to athletes to include roughly 300,000 male condoms and 100,000 female condoms in addition to 175,000 sachets of lubricants.
The condoms are coasted with an antimicrobial agent called astodrimer sodium, which the company claims to have “potent antiviral” properties that work against Zika.
Distribution of the condoms was “a commonsense approach to a very serious problem we are facing in Rio”, Australian chef de mission Kitty Chiller said.
He said: “There’s not many cases of the Zika virus, especially in the city of Rio”.
Golfer Marc Leishman has withdrawn from contention for the Olympics due to concerns over the virus.
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.
World Health Organization advice, which is being followed by the International Olympic Committee and Rio organisers, is for women who are pregnant to not attend the Games.
It now affects more than 40 countries in total – 20 countries in the Americas, most of the Caribbean and several in the Pacific.
Australian athletes have been urged to be vigilant about the danger of the Zika virus. The virus often causes mild reactions, including fever, pink eye and rash but has been linked to severe birth defects, including microcephaly characterized by an abnormally small brain and head. “Zika infection is more unsafe, and Brazil’s outbreak more extensive, than scientists reckoned a short time ago”, he writes.
The AOC announced this week that its partnership with Starpharma came out to give our athletes “added protection” from the possible effects of the unsafe Zika virus, which can be sexually transmitted.
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“You’ve got to come and enjoy”.
