As part of measures to ensure that the recently discovered Zika virus, which is responsible for birth defects in babies born to women with the mosquito-borne virus, Australia’s Olympians will be issued free super-strength condoms in Rio, Brazil, the epicenter of the virus, officials said.
The Australian Olympic team’s chef de mission Kitty said they have taken extra precautions by partnering with a condom manufacturer Starpharma, who would manufacture extra strong variety for peace of mind.
The condoms contain a lubricant that protects against sexually-transmitted diseases and has “near-complete anti-viral protection against Zika virus in laboratory studies. While condoms will be available in dispensing machines in the Olympic village,
There has been widespread anxiety globally surrounding the threat of Zika, which is rampant in Brazil.
As well as causing the birth defect micro cephalic in babies born to women infected with the virus, Zika has also been linked to the rare but serious neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
