Golfer Marc Leishman bows out of the Olympics due to Zika virus concerns
Leishman's decision stems from concerns about his wife's immune system
Zika virus declared a global health emergency
Australia's team leader supports the player's move
Less than 100 days before the Olympics, Leishman announced his decision in a statement released by the Professional Golfers' Association of Australia.
He mentioned concerns about his wife Audrey's immune system, stating, "Last April, our children and I almost lost Audrey to toxic shock syndrome." Since then, Audrey has been prone to infections, and her immune system has not fully recovered.
"We consulted Audrey's doctors and, given her ongoing recuperation and the potential risks associated with the spread of the Zika virus, it was a difficult but straightforward decision not to participate," Leishman added. He had missed the Masters Tournament in 2015 when Audrey first became ill, and he didn't want to risk her health by being near her.
Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that affects thousands of babies with incomplete brain development, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization three months ago. It has been linked to microcephaly in babies.
Leishman, who finished second at the St. Andrews Open in a playoff last year, is currently the top-ranked golfer in the world. Brian Thorburn, CEO of the Professional Golfers' Association of Australia, said that Leishman made his decision after much consideration.
Thorburn added, "Leishman's decision not to participate in the Masters and the Olympics, two of the most important events a professional golfer can be invited to within a 12-month period, is not a hasty one."
Australia's team leader, Kitty Keeler, said, "We understand that family comes first, and we respect Leishman's decision not to participate in the Olympics."
Players like Marcus Fraser, Matt Jones, and Scott Hend have been tipped as potential replacements for Leishman. Other golfers, such as Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, and Vijay Singh, have also decided not to participate in the Olympics, where golf will be back in the program for the first time in 112 years.
Last week, it was reported that South Korean Olympic athletes will wear clothing treated with insect repellent during the opening and closing ceremonies to combat the spread of the Zika virus.
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Golfers at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro were significantly affected by concerns over the Zika virus. Many golfers withdrew from the competition due to these concerns. Rory McIlroy, in particular, mentioned that he chose not to play in the 2016 Olympics because of his fears about the Zika virus, as reported in the sources[1][3]. The Zika virus outbreak led to widespread fear and caution among athletes and organizers, impacting the participation of several golfers in the event.
The Zika virus is a type of virus that is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes (namely A. aegypti and A. albopictus). It was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda, but it wasn't until 2015 that an outbreak in the Americas raised global health concerns.
The virus affects humans mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be spread through sexual contact and from mother to child during pregnancy. The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).
Symptoms are generally mild and last for a few days to a week. However, the virus can have more severe consequences for pregnant women, as it can lead to birth defects in the fetus. The most notable birth defect associated with Zika infection is microcephaly, which is characterized by an abnormally small head size and incomplete brain development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a global health emergency in February 2016, following reports of a significant increase in the number of microcephaly cases in Brazil. The declaration aimed to help countries prepare and respond to the outbreak, and it prompted many athletes, including golfers, to reconsider their participation in the Olympics due to the potential risks.
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2017, the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil between 2015 and 2016 led to more than 5,000 cases of microcephaly and 400 fetal deaths. The study highlighted the importance of barrier methods of contraception and mosquito control during pregnancy to reduce the risk of Zika virus infection and its associated complications.
In response to the Zika virus outbreak, many countries, including the United States, issued travel advisories urging pregnant women to avoid traveling to areas with ongoing transmission of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommended that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas with high risk of Zika virus transmission.
The Zika virus outbreak also led to a surge in demand for mosquito repellents and insecticides, as people sought to protect themselves from the virus. The use of mosquito netting, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito-biting hours were also recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
The Zika virus outbreak had significant implications for public health and global health security. It highlighted the importance of preparedness, response, and surveillance in the detection and control of infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes. It also underscored the need for collaboration and coordination between governments, health organizations, and the scientific community to address global health challenges.
