Steeplechase runner Sudha Singh hospitalized for suspected Zika virus

08/23/2016

Indian athlete Sudha Singh, who participated in the 3000m steeplechase event at the Rio Olympics, has been admitted to the Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru after being suspected of being infected by the dreaded Zika virus in Brazil. Her blood samples have been sent to the lab for further diagnosis.

"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 told PTI.

Before the start of the Olympics, a detailed advisory was issued to all the athletes in view of the Zika virus scare in Brazil. A host of international athletes had withdrawn from the Olympics in fear of this dreaded virus.

Sudha Singh's blood samples have been sent for testing to a virology lab, Sunder has confirmed.

"The doctors have taken the blood samples to avoid risk factors. Hopefully, it is not Zika that Sudha is suffering from," he said, reported PTI.