Even the world's super men are not taking the Zika virus for granted.
Not taking any risks of contracting the virus and transmitting it to his partner and possibly their unborn children, British long jumper and Olympic champion Greg Rutherford has decided to have his sperm frozen.
According to reports from the BBC, Rutherford and his partner Susie Verill have decided not to take any risks against Zika so the former will have his sperm frozen before participates in the upcoming Rio Olympics in Brazil. Verill herself and their son Milo will not be attending the event to protect themselves from possible infection or spreading it.
The Zika virus is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other serious and potentially fatal brain defects in unborn babies. In the meantime, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued public warnings that while the mosquito bite is the primary means of transmission, the virus can also be transmitted through sex. It has already been detected in blood, urine, semen and saliva from various cases monitored in Africa.
The WHO has also announced that athletes and visitors headed for the Brazil Olympics face similar risks as those faced by locals when they arrive in the country. Because of this, precautions are being advised specifically for pregnant women and women who intend to get pregnant. Brazil is among the almost 60 countries wherein there are continued reports of the Zika virus outbreak transmitted through mosquito bites.
In response to these warnings and similar reports, other athletes have let go of their goals to win medals in Rio by saying they will not compete. Cyclist Tejay van Garderen and golfers Vijay Singh and Marc Leishman said that they won't go to Rio because of Zika.
