Extra-strong condoms for Aussie team
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA’S Olympians will be issued with free super-strength condoms in Rio to minimize any infection from the Zika virus, officials said yesterday.
Brazil has been the epicenter of the outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, which is blamed for birth defects in babies born to women infected with the virus. While condoms will be available in dispensing machines in the Olympic village, Australia is providing extra protection by supplying its own extra-strong variety “for peace of mind.”
It has teamed up with manufacturer Starpharma, which says its condoms contain a lubricant that protects against sexually-transmitted diseases and has “near-complete anti-viral protection against Zika virus in laboratory studies”.
“The health and well-being of the team comes first,” said the Olympic team’s chef de mission Kitty Chiller.
“Our association with Starpharma will provide extra protection for everyone on the team, and is a commonsense approach to a very serious problem we are facing in Rio.”
There has been widespread anxiety globally surrounding the threat of Zika, which is rampant in Brazil, the host of August 5-21 Olympic Games.
As well as causing the birth defect microcephaly in babies born to women infected with the virus, it has also been linked to the rare but serious neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Last week, the WHO urged athletes and visitors to take precautions against Zika.
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