Study of Zika Virus Infection among the Athletes and Officials from Thailand Participated in 31st Olympic Games amd 15th Paralympic Games 2016 in Federal Republic of Brazil

Abstract

Zika virus outbreaks were reported in Brazil before hosting the 31st Olympic Games and the 15th Paralympic Games in 2016. In this regard, the World Health Organization provided public health advice to the Games organizers on measures to mitigate the risk of contracting Zika virus among athletes and visitors during the Games. This study aimed to identify the incidence rate of Zika virus infection and the associated risk behaviors among the athletes and officials from Thailand who had participated in these two international athletic events during August-September 2016. We recruited 239 volunteers aged 18-85 years who signed consent form and their urine specimens were collected on days 0, 7 for Zika virus detection by real-time RT-PCR. Risk behaviors were assessed byinterviews and symptoms of illness were monitored until day 14 of return to Thailand. The study revealed that the results of urine tests showed no Zika virus infection in 125 volunteers (125 tested) participating in the Olympic Games and in 114 volunteers (114 tested) participated\\ing in the Paralympic Games. No volunteer developed symptoms of suspected Zika infection after home return. Regarding risk behaviors to Zika virus infection, most of the volunteers reported having been out of the athletes’ village, but having no close exposure to persons with fever or rash, and not having been bitten by mosquitoes. On protective behavior, most volunteers reported having no sex or having practiced save sex while staying in Brazil, and more than half of the volunteers reported frequently using mosquito bite protection equipment. This study suggests that practice of self-protection from mosquito bite and risk behavior avoidance by the volunteers might have prevented them from Zika virus infection. The result of this study may be applied for planning of Zika prevention and control among athletes and officials in the future games.