Senators want to know how athletes will be protected from Zika
Led by Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray, a coalition of 11 Senators sent a letter to the U.S. Olympic Committee on Monday requesting information on how the committee will protect athletes from the Zika virus at the Rio Olympics in August.
Signed by 10 Democrats and one independent senator, the letter to USOC chairman Larry Probst asks “what steps the USOC is taking to assist and protect our athletes against the spread of the Zika virus.”
The USOC announced in March that it had formed an infectious disease panel to establish best practices for those heading to Rio, develop educational materials and create plans for athletes who become ill.
In a response letter to Boxer, which was released to the media Monday, CEO Scott Blackmun said the USOC has been in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other infectious disease experts since the summer of 2015 and has been distributing information to athletes and personnel expected to travel to Rio.
The World Health Organization has declared the spread of the Zika virus a global health emergency. The mosquito-borne illness causes microcephaly, a birth defect that causes babies to be born with smaller-than-usual heads. It has been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological condition that can cause paralysis in adults.
The Zika virus does not cause symptoms in 80 percent of those who contract it. It can also be transmitted sexually. The International Olympic Committee announced last week that it would distribute 450,000 condoms during the Games.
The CDC has advised pregnant women not to travel to the 58 countries and territories, which are mostly in Central and South America, affected by the virus. For those traveling to affected areas, the CDC has advised wearing long sleeves and pants, treating clothing with permethrin and using bug spray.
The USOC’s letter says athletes and staff will stay in air conditioned rooms and will be provided with OFF! insect repellant and long-sleeve shirts and pants as part of their uniforms. Condoms will also be provided to athletes and staff for up to six months following the trip.
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Given the virus’ link to microcephaly and other effects as well as possible transmission in the United States after the Games, the Senators wrote, “we hope the USOC is prepared to work with health authorities both here in the United States and in Brazil to help ensure that all the necessary steps are taken to protect our athletes as they compete this summer.”
In the USOC’s response, Blackmun wrote, “The health and safety of our athletes, indeed our entire delegation, is our top priority. With that said, the United States Olympic Committee is a sports organization, and our job is to enable American athletes to win medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Because we are not an organization with expertise or experience in dealing with infectious diseases, we first and foremost rely on the tremendous expertise of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public and private infectious disease experts, to understand and address the threats that viruses such as Zika pose for our athletes and staff.”
Several athletes have voiced concerns about the spread of the virus.
U.S. water polo captain Tony Azevedo has said his wife, Sara, will not attend as she is pregnant with their second child. Goalkeeper Hope Solo has said she plans to remain in the soccer team’s hotel when she’s not practicing or competing.
According to the CDC, 544 travel-associated cases of the Zika have been reported in the United States as of May 18. Those cases include 157 pregnant women in U.S. states and 122 in U.S. territories as of May 12, according to the CDC.
The Senate last week passed $1.1 billion in emergency funding to fight the virus, while the House previously approved a $622 million bill that the White House has threatened to veto. President Obama has requested $1.9 billion to fight Zika.