|
 CDC also said women considering becoming pregnant, and their male
partners, should exercise caution if they travel to the Olympics or
Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro in
August and September.
"CDC Recommends that pregnant women consider not traveling to the
Olympics," the advisory says. "If you have a male partner who goes
to the Olympics, you may be at risk for sexual transmission."
CDC's statement is the agency's first explicit warning for some
travelers to stay away from the Games in Rio de Janeiro, which has
been expecting to draw as many as 400,000 tourists from around the
world. Although the Olympics are still five months away, Brazilian
authorities have been drawing up robust mosquito-control plans to
minimize the risks to spectators and tourists alike.
Still, a Zika outbreak in the Americas has caused concern among some
people considering attending the Games, and CDC's advisory could
increase pressure on organizers who have so far downplayed any
threat that health concerns could hurt attendance.
Late on Friday, the Federal Drug Administration issued an emergency
authorization for a new CDC laboratory test for the Zika virus that
detects antibodies the body makes to fight infection. The CDC said
it will distribute the test to qualified laboratories in the United
States during the next two weeks.
Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus causes
microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by unusually small heads
that can result in developmental problems.
Brazil said it has confirmed more than 580 cases of microcephaly,
and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the
mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional 4,100 suspected cases
of microcephaly.
Though Zika is usually transmitted by mosquitoes, women who are
pregnant may also be at risk for sexual transmission and should use
condoms or refrain from sex during pregnancy if they are concerned,
CDC said.
Those considering becoming pregnant should talk to their health care
providers before traveling to the Olympics, the agency said.
[to top of second column] |
A growing number of international athletes in recent weeks have said
they are concerned about Zika, though few have said it would deter
them from competing. Among those who have expressed reluctance is
famed U.S. soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo, who said Thursday she may
not join her teammates in Brazil due to concerns about Zika.
The CDC's recommendations for travel to the Olympics are in line
with its current guidance to travelers considering a trip to the
myriad countries where Zika is present.
Organizers have said transmission risks should be low during the
Olympics, which are scheduled to take place during Brazil's winter
months when transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses is less
frequent and the weather is cooler and drier. Rio de Janeiro has
pledged to undertake broad mosquito control efforts.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international
health emergency on Feb. 1, citing a likely strong relationship
between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly.
Earlier on Friday, the CDC said that a recent study of nine pregnant
travelers from the U.S. to Zika-affected regions raised new concerns
about the virus, showing a greater-than-expected number of fetal
infections and brain abnormalities. One of the nine women gave birth
to a child with severe microcephaly, it said.
(Reporting by Shivam Srivastava in Bengaluru and Joshua Schneyer in
New York; Editing by Bernard Orr)
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