Planning to go to Brazil for Olympics? Here is how to stay safe from Zika

Dubai - The ministry will continue working closely with the WHO to attain updates on Zika virus outbreaks, risks and prevention and interventions.

Athletes and visitors heading from the UAE to Brazil to attend the Olympics next month have been asked to follow travel advice issued by the health ministry to prevent being infected by the Zika virus.
An official from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) told Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview that pregnant women should avoid visiting areas with the ongoing Zika virus outbreak. Evidence has shown that infected women have given birth to children with microcephaly and other congenital malformations.
Upon return to the UAE, the travellers have also been asked to practise safe sex.
"During the travel, people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites," said Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centres and Clinics at the ministry.
He, however, said that based on available evidence, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued no general restrictions on travel or trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission.
"As per the advice from the WHO, we are also asking pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks," he said.
This advice is based on the increased risk of microcephaly and other congenital malformations in babies born to pregnant women infected with Zika virus, he added. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby is born with a small head or the head stops growing after birth.
Brazil is one of the 58 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika virus by mosquitoes. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors, a person infected with Zika virus can also transmit the virus to another person through unprotected sex.
Dr Hussain also said athletes and visitors to Rio de Janeiro and other areas where Zika virus is circulating should follow the travel advice provided by the ministry and other health authorities. "They should also consult a health worker before travelling," he added.
Practise safe sex
To prevent the onward transmission of Zika and adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes, all returning travellers should practise safer sex including through the correct and consistent use of condoms, said Dr Hussain.
Ideally, they should abstain from sex for at least eight weeks.
"If the travellers experience symptoms (rash, fever, arthralgia, myalgia or conjunctivitis) after the trip, they should immediately consult a physician who will recommend a PCR test for confirming the disease," he explained, adding that the test is available in the ministry laboratories.
He also said that the ministry will continue working closely with the WHO to attain updates on Zika virus outbreaks, risks and prevention and interventions.
Soon, a health awareness campaign and related infographics about Zika will be posted on the websites of the ministry, Abu Dhabi Health Authority and Dubai Health Authority.
No cases of Zika virus have been detected in the UAE so far and there is little risk for local transmission since the mosquito species responsible for the spread of the disease is not known to survive here.
The games will take place during Brazil's wintertime when there are fewer active mosquitoes and the risk of being bitten is lower.
These are the precautions you need to take: 
1. Prevent mosquito bites during the trip by following these measures:
> Wear clothing - preferably light coloured - that covers as much of the body as possible
> Use insect repellent. Repellents may be applied to exposed skin or to clothing, and should contain DEET (diethyltoluamide) or IR 3535 or Icaridin. Repellents must be used in strict accordance with the label instructions
> Use physical barriers such as regular or mesh screens or insecticide treated netting materials on doors and windows, or closing doors and windows
> Sleep under mosquito nets, especially during the day, when Aedes mosquitoes are most active
2. Practise safer sex (use condoms correctly and consistently) or abstain from sex during stay and for at least eight weeks after their return, particularly if they have had or are experiencing symptoms of Zika virus
3. Choose air-conditioned accommodation (windows and doors are usually kept closed to prevent the cool air from escaping, and mosquitoes cannot enter the rooms)
4. Avoid visiting impoverished and over-crowded areas in cities and towns with no piped water and poor sanitation (ideal breeding grounds of mosquitoes) where the risk of being bitten is higher
5. Pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This includes Rio de Janeiro
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com