Runner returns sick from Rio, being tested for Zika

BENGALURU: Middle-distance runner Sudha Singh, who arrived from Rio on Saturday, is being treated for viral infection in an isolation room at a hospital here since then. Besides dengue and malaria, the athlete is being investigated for a possible Zika virus infection.
Sudha, 30, who took part in the 3000m steeplechase at the Olympics, complained of fever, joint pain and fatigue upon arrival.After initial treatment at the Sports Authority of India, she was rushed to hospital once her BP fell to worrying levels, sources told TOI.
Apparently, Sudha's blood tests did not show any sign of dengue or malaria. To rule out Zika, her samples are likely to be sent to a virology institute in Pune on Monday. Marathon runner O P Jaisha, who returned with Sudha, has shown similar but milder symptoms. Another marathoner, Kavita Raut, took ill in Rio. All three were staying in the same flat in Rio, one of the places affected by the Zika outbreak. Sources confirmed to TOI that the three athletes who are reported to have fallen sick in Rio exposed to mosquitoes, the prime vectors of Zika virus infection.

Another marathon runner who stayed in the apartment, Kavita Raut, was the first athlete to be laid low by fever earlier this week before Sudha and Jaisha fell ill. Kavita is returning to India on Sunday, it is learnt. Marathon runner Jaisha also showed similar symptoms on Saturday but said she would rather leave for Kerala as she had nobody here to attend to her if she was admitted to hospital. "The symptoms were milder in Jaisha. The fever wasn't as high and she was keen on returning to Kerala," sources said.
"I was completely exhausted after the marathon in extremely hot conditions. But after being admitted at the polyclinic at the venue I recovered well. I was okay for the next two days. Now I am down again. The officials and coach asked me to get admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru but I don't want to do that. I have no one to help me here. I want to go home for Ayurvedic treatment. I hope to recover after two-three months of treatment."
Hospital sources said Sudha is being treated for viral infection but the primary task would be to rule out Zika.
"A young lady who just returned from Rio, Brazil is down with fever, body pain and other constitutional symptoms. She is being treated in isolation room for viral fever. She is being investigated for common local causes like dengue, malaria and chikungunya. Since there is a travel history to Brazil, we are considering Zika virus infection also," the sources said.
"We are taking adequate steps to diagnose it so as to inform the public authority regarding the same. She would be treated in the hospital for three to five days."