Medical Measures for Road World Championships: Health Precautions Included Vaccinations, MalariaMedication, and Boiled Water, Disclosed by Belgian Team Doctor in Rwanda
The UCI Road World Championships are set to make history as the first to be held in Africa, with this year's event taking place in Rwanda. The Belgian cycling team, in particular, is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to preparation, implementing rigorous health and hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of tropical diseases.
Kris Van der Mieren, the Belgian team doctor, has been meticulously preparing for the World Championships for a year. According to him, prevention is key in avoiding tropical diseases. Extra precautions for illness prevention include a no shaking hands rule, bringing double the usual amount of hand sanitizer, and spraying and applying sunscreen 24/7 during the event.
Van der Mieren and his team are not taking any risks when it comes to water quality. The team will avoid relying on local tap water and will use bottled water or boil water for cooking, washing vegetables, and making ice. This is due to concerns about the water quality in Rwanda.
The team is also taking a range of vaccinations, including for hepatitis A, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, typhoid. Most tropical diseases in Rwanda are spread by mosquitoes, so wearing light-colored clothing is advised to deter mosquitoes more than dark clothing during the World Championships.
One of the biggest fears of the team's doctor is rabies, despite the minimal chances of someone contracting it during the World Championships. In case of a serious bite from a rabid animal, immediate repatriation would be necessary, and specialist work would be required for treating rabies. An untreated rabies infection is always fatal, but with quick treatment and the right medication and wound care, it can be surviveable.
The team's catering will be meticulous about hygiene, ensuring refrigerators are closed promptly, buffets are at the right temperature, and all vegetables and fruit are washed properly. One soigneur, Andy Heindryckx, runs his own catering business at home and is obsessed with hygiene. Team members and staff will also be taking malaria pills every night and for a week after the competition ends.
For unlimited coverage of the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, subscribe to Cyclingnews. Stay informed and support the Belgian cycling team as they strive to be at the top of their game while prioritizing health and safety. Remco Evenepoel, a key member of the team, was vaccinated last winter to avoid any potential side effects interfering with his racing calendar.
As the World Championships approach, the Belgian cycling team's medical team continues to monitor the health of its members and staff, ensuring they are in the best possible condition to compete.
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