A safety guide
to avoid gastrointestinal upsets while in Rio de Janeiro is understanding where and how problems occur. Food and water-borne illnesses can be contracted from murky swimming pools, drinking water from local tap water, etc. Avoid ice, ice cream from ill-reputable shops, salads (fresh greens and fruits need to be thoroughly washed) and fruits/vegetables that can’t be peeled, raw fish and shellfish. Whatever the reason for poisoning and suffering from
- Dine in well-known restaurants (use one of the many great apps to know what, where and how high are the ratings).
Concerns over the spread of Zika virus are high, recent findings suggest that it can be spread through intercourse between partners and according to the WHO, pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas where there are high rates of infected women. Partners traveling to and from Brazil should practice safer sex or abstain throughout the pregnancy. With that in mind the American CDC (Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention) alongside the WHO/ PAHO (Pan-American Health Organization) are monitoring and providing sufficient information for all public health government offices in charge with combating and controlling the spread of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito in areas where the Games are to be held as well as crowd controlled areas. For those traveling and concerned about contracting the Zika virus, following simple steps can increase your chances of not getting infected. Spray insect repellent day and night, insect repellents work very well and make sure that the active ingredients are included — DEET, PMD, picaridin and OLE. Wear light colored clothing that covers up most of your body and try to stay in well air-conditioned areas with locked windows and window nets. Lastly, avoid visiting rural areas where proper piped water is lacking, and are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, resulting in a high risk of getting bitten.
The Zika virus transmission rate is expected to be low during the Olympic games, for August and September and winter months in Brazil, which decrease the mosquitos’ activity due to cooler and drier weather. Mosquitoes thrive in water remnants from rain, storm drains, air-conditions, old tires … etc. It’s always recommended to stay in well-known establishments throughout your stay in Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro. It’s a beautiful city full of many things to enjoy, but it would be even better to enjoy while making sure you’re safe. Don your country’s flag shirt, paint your faces with its colors, be proud of your team and enjoy the Rio Summer Olympics 2016.