• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Current price of oil as of June 16, 2026

2

Team USA star Ricardo Pepi grew up in a trailer in El Paso—and his parents pawned their car title to fuel his soccer dream. Now, he’s in the World Cup

3

Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026

1

Current price of oil as of June 16, 2026

2

Team USA star Ricardo Pepi grew up in a trailer in El Paso—and his parents pawned their car title to fuel his soccer dream. Now, he’s in the World Cup

3

Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026
Health

Olympic Athletes Are Taking Creative Measures Against Zika Virus

By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 5, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
MEXICO-OLY-2016-RIO-HEALTH
Mexican Olympic athletes pose with the Undersecretary of Promotion and Prevention of Health, Pablo Kuri Morales (C), after a press conference at the headquarters of the Mexican Olympic Committee in Mexico City on July 18, 2016. Athletes competing in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games received a kit with mosquito repellent, condoms and information on how to prevent the Zika virus. / AFP / YURI CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)Photograph by Yuri Cortez/AFP—via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The 2016 Rio Olympics officially kick off Friday night to no shortage of controversy, from ongoing political turmoil in the host country of Brazil to concerns over the quality of the water Olympians will have to navigate.

But the threat of the Zika virus, of which there are nearly 166,000 suspected and confirmed cases in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), has added an extra layer of concern to the games. The mosquito-borne pathogen can be devastating to the fetuses of pregnant women, causing microcephaly (abnormally small heads) and other neurological disorders. It can also be transmitted sexually—which is especially problematic because history has shown that Olympians have a lot of sex.

The specter of Zika has led some athletes to stay away from Rio altogether. Many of the abstaining competitors are world-class golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Vijay Singh, Adam Scott, and others. (This is a particularly sad development for golf fans since the sport hasn’t even been included in the Olympics since 1904.) Tennis champions like Milos Raonic and Simona Halep have also withdrawn, as has American cyclist Tejay van Garderen.

While the desire to remain safe is understandable, the WHO has said that the threat of Zika spreading wildly during the Olympics is actually quite low. For one, Zika has been in Brazil long enough that the population has begun to form immunity to it. It’s also winter in the southern hemisphere, so mosquito populations are relatively under control.

Ironically, the threat of Zika is likely far greater in the United States, where the first locally-contracted cases began popping up last week, according to Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine. “I think pregnant women will be safer in Rio than in Miami over the next two months,” he told Fortune in an interview, adding that cases will probably ramp up rapidly over the next six to eight weeks in Florida and Gulf states.

Still, public health officials say the possibility of infection warrants preventive measures, and some Olympic athletes attending are taking some creative—some might even say extreme—steps to protect themselves.

Freezing semen

Health experts say that anyone planning to become pregnant somewhere between the next two to six months should either stay clear of Zika-affected regions or exercise caution. That includes men. Zika can remain in men’s semen for an extended period of time, and pregnant women who become infected have between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 13 chance of their fetuses developing birth defects, according to Hotez.

Pregnant women, in particular, are warned to stay away from Zika-affected regions. The virus’ links to microcephaly and the neurological disorder Guillain–Barré syndrome have been established. But Hotez believes that even newborns who don’t develop these conditions may come to exhibit other neurological or developmental disorders.

Susie Verrill, partner of British track star Greg Rutherford, has taken one creative tack to the problem. She’s staying away from Rio while Rutherford competes but has also frozen his semen in case he becomes infected since the couple wants to have more children.

https://twitter.com/GregJRutherford/status/740102902551871488

People who have been to Zika-affected areas who want to become pregnant should also be tested by their healthcare provider.

Zika-proof condoms

The WHO and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend using condoms during intercourse to prevent transmission. That’s led to some opportunism from some businesses. For instance, Australia’s Olympic delegation will be provided “Zika-proof” condoms by companies Starpharma and Ansell. These prophylactics contain an anti-microbial agent the companies claim offer even more safety.

To be clear, all condoms protect against Zika. The 450,000 free condoms (100,000 female ones and 350,000 male ones) that Brazilian authorities will distribute during the games will be just as effective as the specialty ones that Australian athletes will be equipped with.

Mosquito nets

There is no current treatment for Zika and vaccines to protect against it are in the earliest stages of development. So public health officials have recommended Olympians to regularly use mosquito repellents which contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Sleeping under a mosquito net also is recommended, as are long-sleeved fabrics and sheets that have been treated with permethrin, which repels mosquitoes.

U.S. soccer superstar Hope Solo has the right idea:

Not sharing this!!! Get your own! #zikaproof #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/y3d8hnuEjk

— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) July 22, 2016

If anyone in the village forgets to pack repellent, come and see me…#DeptOfDefense #zikaproof pic.twitter.com/x8RdUV6M7c

— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) July 22, 2016

Brazilian sports fans are not too pleased about her tweets and the fact that she originally hedged about whether she’d even attend the games. She was repeatedly booed and taunted with chants of “Zika!” on Wednesday during a match against New Zealand.

About the Author
By Sy Mukherjee
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Health

‘It’s on us’: Luigi Mangione’s hearing delayed after DA failed to request him from jail
Lawcourts
‘It’s on us’: Luigi Mangione’s hearing delayed after DA failed to request him from jail
By Michael R. Sisak and The Associated PressJune 16, 2026
16 hours ago
Infant mortality in the U.S. fell to an all-time low in 2025 thanks to antibody shots and RSV vaccines
Healthlife expectancy
Infant mortality in the U.S. fell to an all-time low in 2025 thanks to antibody shots and RSV vaccines
By Mike Stobbe and The Associated PressJune 16, 2026
16 hours ago
mitch
North AmericaCongress
Mitch McConnell, 84, hospitalized with no details released; term ends in January
By The Associated PressJune 15, 2026
2 days ago
target
HealthRecalls
FDA recalls Nara Organics baby formula after infant botulism cases in 3 states
By The Associated PressJune 15, 2026
2 days ago
‘There simply isn’t enough product for the U.S. customer’: GLP-1 craze eats whey too much protein
RetailFood and drink
‘There simply isn’t enough product for the U.S. customer’: GLP-1 craze eats whey too much protein
By Dee-Ann Durbin and The Associated PressJune 14, 2026
3 days ago
Middle-aged adults taking GLP-1s for obesity can save over $192K on lifetime medical costs, higher if they don’t have college degrees, new study finds
HealthHealth
Middle-aged adults taking GLP-1s for obesity can save over $192K on lifetime medical costs, higher if they don’t have college degrees, new study finds
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 14, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

Current price of oil as of June 16, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 16, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 16, 2026
18 hours ago
Team USA star Ricardo Pepi grew up in a trailer in El Paso—and his parents pawned their car title to fuel his soccer dream. Now, he’s in the World Cup
Success
Team USA star Ricardo Pepi grew up in a trailer in El Paso—and his parents pawned their car title to fuel his soccer dream. Now, he’s in the World Cup
By Preston ForeJune 15, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
2 days ago
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
Big Tech
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
By Tristan BoveJune 15, 2026
2 days ago
Cursor’s 25-year-old CEO is a former Google intern who just cemented a $60 billion deal with SpaceX
AI
Cursor’s 25-year-old CEO is a former Google intern who just cemented a $60 billion deal with SpaceX
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 16, 2026
17 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, June 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, June 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.