Rio-returned athlete Sudha Singh hospitalised for suspected Zika virus

BENGALURU: Indian athlete Sudha Singh, who returned from Rio Olympics with fever and body ache last week, has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital here for a suspected Zika virus. "Sudha Singh arrived here in Bengaluru on August 20 with fever and body ache. She was admitted to one of the chains of Fortis Hospital the same day. The athlete is undergoing treatment and medication for suspected zika virus," Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Director M Shyam Sunder said. Sudha had participated in the steeplechase competition at Rio. Giving an update on the condition of the athlete, Sunder said officials from health departments of state and central governments visited the hospital and gave the required medical help and advise. The doctors have collected the blood samples of Sudha and have sent them to a virology institute for Zika testing, Sunder said. "The doctors have taken the blood samples to avoid risk factors. Hopefully, it is not Zika that Sudha is suffering from," he said. As per doctors, Sudha is recuperating and feeling better than when she was admitted on August 20, Sunder said. In May, Sudha broke the national record in women's 3000m steeplechase event to finish eighth in the second leg of the prestigious Diamond League Meet in Shanghai. She had qualified for Rio Games during the Federation Cup National Athletics Championships in New Delhi in April, where she clocked nine minutes 26.55 seconds. Before the commencement of the Rio Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had issued a detailed advisory to all the athletes and support staff in view of the zika virus scare in Brazil. Zika is a mosquito-borne virus which can cause crippling birth defects and also affects neurological system.