Ahead of the Olympic Games which will hold from August 5 to 21 at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The Nigeria Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Commission have released guidelines on  Zika virus prevention for Nigerians who are attending the sporting event. Pregnant women have been advised not to travel to Brazil, while athletes, officials and other Nigerians in the country for the games should prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and protective clothing.

• After the Games, all travellers should practice safer sex, including the correct and consistent use of condoms, or abstain from sex for at least eight weeks after their return;

• Men who experience symptoms of Zika virus disease during or after their return, should adopt safer sex practices or abstain from sex for at least six months;

• Pregnant women whose sexual partners travelled to Brazil should practice safer sex practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy. Couples or women planning a pregnancy should wait at least eight weeks after return from Brazil before trying to conceive; and 6 months if the male partner was symptomatic;

• All travellers should use personal protective measures such as insect repellent for at least three weeks after returning from the Games to avoid being bitten and potentially spreading the infection to other people through mosquito bites; and,

• Travellers should not donate blood for at least four weeks after departure from Brazil to reduce the potential risk of onwards transmission.

Nigerians should also “be up to date with all the common childhood vaccinations before visiting Brazil (you may even need a booster). This includes immunizations for Tetanus and Diphtheria, Whooping cough (Pertussis), Hepatitis B, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Brazil is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for Yellow Fever. A Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory.” It added that the full two-dose Hepatitis A vaccine is strongly recommended when visiting Brazil and other precautions for hygiene and food safety should be taken.

Source: The Guardian