A close-up of the Olympic gold medal during the Launch of Medals and Victory Ceremonies for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Future Arena in Olympic Park on June 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect among babies of pregnant mothers infected by Zika, and its discovery in Brazil past year led to concern over the Games, which are expected to attract some 500 000 visitors.
According to the study, the water’s viral levels are 1.7 million times what would be considered alarming in the United States and Europe.
“Funds not reaching deserving athletes and to the sport which has the potential of winning a medal is the most unfortunate thing”, said Ehsan Qureshi, a seasoned sports journalist.
USA health officials have concluded that infections by the mosquito-borne Zika virus in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. And the AP investigation found that infectious adenovirus readings – tested with cell cultures and verified with molecular biology protocols – turned up at almost 90 per cent of the test sites over 16 months of testing. Dr. Valerie Harwood of the University of South Florida says the levels of viruses present in the waters in Rio are “pretty much unheard of in surface waters in the U.S.” because waste water here is treated.
“I’m wearing mosquito repellent just in case, I know the odds are very small but you can never be too safe”, she added.
While athletes take precautions, what about the 300,000-500,000 foreigners expected to descend on Rio for the Olympics?
The contamination is the result of Rio dumping untreated sewage into the bodies of water surrounding the city, something organizers had promised would be cleaned up by now. The situation is so bad that even the sand on beaches is contaminated.
The athletes, who have not yet been named, were separated from the team soon after landing in Rio, with Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller revealing that they are suffering from a “gastro-intestinal illness”.
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In his opening speech, IOC President Thomas Bach paid tribute to the extraordinary work and efforts deployed by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and the city authorities to build a fantastic stage for the athletes of the world.
