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 The study, announced on Tuesday, seeks to determine the incidence of
Zika virus infection, identify potential risk factors for infection,
evaluate how long the virus remains in bodily fluids, and study
reproductive outcomes of Zika-infected participants.
Brazil, which has been hardest hit by the mosquito-borne virus
spreading across the Americas, will host the Summer Olympics in Rio
de Janeiro next month.
The virus has caused concern because it can cause potentially severe
birth defects in babies whose mothers were infected during
pregnancy, including microcephaly - a birth defect marked by small
head size that can lead to developmental problems. It has also been
linked to Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that can
cause temporary paralysis in adults.
The study, which hopes to enroll at least 1,000 subjects, is being
led by Dr. Carrie Byington of the University of Utah, who earlier
this year began a pilot study of 150 participants, a third of whom
said they or their partner planned to become pregnant within a year
of the Olympics. They will be included in the larger study.
"We will follow individuals who have exposure to Zika virus for up
to two years," Byington said via email. "Because the cohort is
anticipated to include primarily individuals in their reproductive
years, we will be able to study reproductive health outcomes,
including pregnancy outcomes."
The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light
last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,600 cases
of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections
in the mothers.
Zika is the first known mosquito-borne virus that can also be
transmitted via unprotected sex with an infected male partner,
leading to imprecise recommendations of how long couples should
abstain or refrain from unprotected sex if the woman is pregnant or
hoping to become pregnant.
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Study participants will provide samples of bodily fluids to be
tested for Zika and related viruses, such as dengue, which will help
identify people who are infected but asymptomatic. As many as 80
percent of those who contract Zika do not display the classic
symptoms, such as fever, rash and red eyes, researchers have said.
The U.S. Olympic study could help answer some of the big unknowns
surrounding Zika, particularly the relative risks of asymptomatic
versus symptomatic infections, and how long the virus remains
present and transmittable in semen.
"We hope to identify risk factors and protective measures that may
help other travelers avoid infection," Byington said.
The USOC had previous said it will provide several months worth of
condoms to its athletes and staff heading to Brazil for the games.
(Reporting by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Bernard Orr)
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