US Olympics Committee To Athletes And Staff: Consider Skipping 2016 Rio Games If You Fear The Zika Virus

The United States Olympics Committee has suggested that athletes and support staff should consider skipping the 2016 Rio Games if they fear contracting the Zika virus. Reuters reports:

The USOC’s briefing to sport federations is the latest sign that Olympics officials are taking the Zika threat to the games in Rio de Janeiro seriously, and acknowledging that at least some athletes and support staff could face a tough decision over whether to attend. The United States won most medals at the last Olympics in London in 2012, so any disruption to its presence would be important for the Rio games.

Global health authorities suspect the mosquito-borne Zika virus has caused a spike in Brazil of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head. As a result, the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency Feb. 1, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising pregnant women or those considering becoming pregnant to avoid travel to places with Zika outbreaks.

Zika outbreaks have been confirmed in 33 countries, including the United States. Last week Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared states of emergency in four counties after nine people tested positive for the virus.

The Rio Games begin in August and have already been beset by reports of sewage-polluted waters.