The Brazilian authorities have announced plans to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games later this year.
The mosquito-borne disease - which can cause severe birth defects - has been spreading through the Americas and concerns have been raised ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place this summer.
Efforts being taken in Brazil include inspections of Games facilities, which will begin four months before the start of the Games, to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, daily sweeps will also take place.
It is hoped the fact that the Games, which are taking place in the cooler, drier month of August when mosquitoes are far less prevalent, will help keep cases down.
The British Olympic Association said that it would be monitoring the situation and that it has been working alongside the London School of Tropical Medicine to provide advice on this matter.
A spokesperson said the aim is to ensure that team members are “given the most up-to-date travel medicine advice, which includes information on bite prevention strategies”.
“This information has already been shared with all sports and it will be continually updated prior to departure for the Olympic Games.”
A joint contribution from the Sport and Recreation Alliance, /Together, Sport England and the Eden Project.
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