What is the current situation?

The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016. The Paralympic Games are scheduled for September 7 to September 18, 2016. If you plan to travel to Brazil for the Olympics or Paralympics, follow the recommendations below to help you stay safe and healthy.

Brazil, along with many destinations in the Americas, is experiencing an outbreak of Zika virus. Because Zika virus infection in pregnant women can cause serious birth defects, CDC has  special recommendations for pregnant women traveling to Brazil. See “Zika Virus in Pregnancy” on this page and the Zika in Brazil travel notice for more information. The Zika outbreak in Brazil is dynamic. CDC will continue to monitor the situation and  adjust these recommendations as we learn more.

What can travelers do to protect themselves?

Before your trip:

• Schedule a health appointment at least 4–6 weeks before you depart. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about vaccines and medicines recommended for Brazil. See the Find a Clinic webpage for help in finding a travel medicine clinic near you.
  • CDC recommends all travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and flu.
  • Other recommended vaccines may include hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, yellow fever (see map), and rabies.
  • Medicine for malaria and travelers’ diarrhea may be recommended (see map).
• Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Pack a travel health kit.
• Monitor travel warnings and alerts from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.

During your trip:

• Follow security and safety guidelines. US travelers may be targets for criminals during mass gatherings.
  • If possible, don't travel at night, avoid questionable areas, and travel with a companion.
  • If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Drunk people are more likely to hurt themselves or other people, engage in risky sex, or get arrested.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
  • Carry the contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate in Brazil. The local emergency service numbers are 190 for the police, 192 for ambulance, and 193 for fire department. Note that these local emergency phone numbers are available in Portuguese only. 
  • Follow all local laws and social customs.
  • Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
  • Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
  • If possible, choose hotel rooms on the second through the sixth floors. A room on the first floor of a hotel may provide easier access for criminals. Rooms on the seventh floor or above may be difficult to escape in the event of a fire.  
• Follow food and water safety guidelines. Eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water can cause illnesses such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and travelers’ diarrhea. Read about how to prevent these diseases by visiting the Safe Food and Water page. Beware of food from street vendors, ice in drinks, and other foods and drinks that may be contaminated and cause travelers’ diarrhea. Download our mobile app  “Can I Eat This?” to help you make safe food and water choices while you are traveling. The app is available free for iPhone and Android.
• Prevent mosquito bites and use insect repellent. Diseases spread by mosquitoes, such as Zika, malaria, dengue, and yellow fever, are common throughout Brazil. Read more about ways to prevent bug bites by visiting the Avoid Bug Bites page. You may also need to take prescription medicine to protect against malaria or get a vaccine against yellow fever. Zika virus can also be spread by infected men through sex; condoms can reduce this risk. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about prevention steps that are right for you. See maps for yellow fever and malaria risk areas.
  • CDC recommends that pregnant women not go to the Olympics. Learn more in the “Zika Virus in Pregnancy” section on this page.
• Follow guidelines for hot climates. Dehydration and heat-related illnesses are common during sporting events. Drink plenty of (bottled!) water, keep cool, and wear sunscreen. Read more about how to prevent these conditions by visiting the Travel to Hot Climates and Sun Exposure pages.

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If you feel sick during your trip—

• Talk to a doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever.
• For more information about medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care Abroad.
• If you don't speak Portuguese and require assistance with a health issue, see our list of common Portuguese health terms and phrases.
• Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

For full article: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/2016-summer-olympics-rio