Are the athletes really aware of just how widespread the ZIka virus is?

Yes.

/thread

That guy who always posts wrote:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/hc-providers/clinicalevaluation.html

The vast majority of people who are infected with the ZIka virus are asymptomatic, meaning they show no signs of infection but also meaning they can spread the virus to other people through any kind of affectionate contact, such as a kiss.

I actually follow this quite closely as one of my good friends works for the Public Health Service. There is so far no evidence that the virus can be spread by a kiss.

No Way wrote:

I actually follow this quite closely as one of my good friends works for the Public Health Service. There is so far no evidence that the virus can be spread by a kiss.

This is a perfect example of people not knowing everything about the virus:

Saliva contains T Cells.

"Viruses including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can spread via infected saliva."

If I was an athlete or spectator I would not be kissing anyone or anyone who has traveled there If I wanted to be sure I wasn't going to get ZIka.

Epstein Barr's transmission profile is better known, and if Epstein Barr can spread that easily I wouldn't be surprised if ZIka wasn't far behind in possible transmission risk.

Athletes and spectators need to know the whole truth about this situation, this is more like a disease warzone where you acknowledge the risks and understand how easily you can become infected, but also understand most people who have become infected remain healthy.

Btw, its also possible to contract AIDS through saliva, although remote. Public Health Services are also usually behind outbreaks, in case you've forgotten 2014.

Just because saliva contains T Cells or the virus does not mean that the virus is transmitted that way. AIDS is absolutely not spread by saliva, even though saliva can contain the virus.

The fact that T Cells are in saliva is irrelevant to virus transmission. Viruses aren't transmitted by T Cells.

Additionally, Zika and Epstein Barr are not related and have totally different modes of transmission. You don't get mono from mosquitoes, do you?

No Way wrote:

Just because saliva contains T Cells or the virus does not mean that the virus is transmitted that way. AIDS is absolutely not spread by saliva, even though saliva can contain the virus.

The fact that T Cells are in saliva is irrelevant to virus transmission. Viruses aren't transmitted by T Cells.

Additionally, Zika and Epstein Barr are not related and have totally different modes of transmission. You don't get mono from mosquitoes, do you?

This just goes to show how no one is taking this seriously or really cares about disease outbreaks or the Olympics.

That guy who always posts wrote:

No Way wrote:

Just because saliva contains T Cells or the virus does not mean that the virus is transmitted that way. AIDS is absolutely not spread by saliva, even though saliva can contain the virus.

The fact that T Cells are in saliva is irrelevant to virus transmission. Viruses aren't transmitted by T Cells.

Additionally, Zika and Epstein Barr are not related and have totally different modes of transmission. You don't get mono from mosquitoes, do you?

This just goes to show how no one is taking this seriously or really cares about disease outbreaks or the Olympics.

People are taking it very seriously. Some athletes aren't going because of it. Governments are issuing guidelines to protect women who are or may become pregnant. That doesn't mean we need to make things up to make it seem even worse.