The Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) have provided information about the Zika virus to the three athletes and 13 delegates heading to Brazil for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Head of the ministry’s Department for Infectious Disease Dr Merita Monteiro said it was important for the team to be aware of the symptoms and know how to protect themselves against Zika as Brazil has been heavily affected by the virus.
The Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
“Our major concern is if they (athletes) are infected through the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito they may also spread this virus to other people when they return to Timor-Leste, and we do not want this to happen,” she said.
Although there have been no recorded cases of Zika virus in Timor-Leste, Monteiro said it was a possibility as aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found in the country.
She therefore called on the athletes and their support team to consult health personnel immediately if they experienced any of the common symptoms such as fever, rash or conjunctivitis.
The Zika virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause birth defects in unborn babies like microcephaly (abnormally small head).
Zika has also been linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, which affects the nervous system.
Last July, Brazil health authorities reported that a number of patients were being treated for complications from Guillain-Barre syndrome, while in October there further cases of microcephaly caused by the Zika virus.
WHO health official Jeremias da Cruz said the basic information would be helpful for athletes while they are in Brazil.
“It is a good opportunity to share detailed information for them because if they don’t protect themselves they can bring this virus [back] to our country (Timor-Leste),” he said.
As a preventative measure, he said athletes should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, as well as use mosquito repellent regularly.
Cyclist Francelina ‘Anche’ Marques Cabral agreed it was important for athletes to know how to protect themselves against the virus.
“The most important thing is knowing how we can protect ourselves from an infected mosquito, particularly by wearing long-sleeved shirts and using mosquito repellent every day,” she said.
