NEW YORK (AP) – Traveling to the Olympics? Don’t let illnesses meddle with your fun.
Roughly half a million people from around the world are expected to travel to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. And while Zika is in the spotlight, there are other bugs and health problems that Olympic athletes and spectators should keep in mind.
What’s the biggest threat? Health experts say the most likely cause of death or serious harm to travelers everywhere is injuries from car accident, falls, crime or other mishaps.
But that’s not what’s on the minds of people headed to the Olympics, said Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, associate director of Tulane University’s travel medicine clinic in New Orleans.
“Zika is what brings them in the door,” Van Sickels said of recent clinic visitors.