On Wednesday, the U.S. Olympic Committee named University of Utah Health Care in Salt Lake City to its National Medical Network. The two other centers already in the network are the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and Steadman Philippon Research Institute and Clinic in Vail, Colo.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, an infectious disease team from UUHC has already been working with the USOC to address the threat of Zika exposure at the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil, where thousands of babies have been born with the neurologically debilitating birth defect microcephaly. Both the World Health organization and the CDC have confirmed the link between Zika and the birth defect.
UUHC's Carrie Byington, MD, is the chairwoman of the USOC's infectious disease advisory group. Dr. Byington and her team are working to develop a diagnostic tool that will assist medical personnel in determining which athletes are most at risk is for contracting Zika and developing strategies for treatment. Athletes will also be monitored for two years after the games. Dr. Byington told the Tribune what her team will learn throughout this process will have wider scientific implications.
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun told the Tribune, "Zika is an incredibly important topic to us. Having this group [of health advisers] for the athletes and delegation has been a godsend."
More articles on the Zika virus:
CDC backs low-tech mosquito trap for Zika fight
Opinion: 5 reasons Zika should delay the Olympics
CDC: Urine test is best for Zika infection detection