Tigers closer Rodriguez says he contracted Zika virus | Inquirer Sports

Tigers closer Rodriguez says he contracted Zika virus

06:42 PM June 01, 2016

Francisco Rodriguez #57 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum on May 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. The Tigers won the game 4-1.   Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

Francisco Rodriguez #57 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum on May 27, 2016 in Oakland, California. The Tigers won the game 4-1. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

Detroit Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez says he contracted the Zika virus over the offseason in his home country of Venezuela and advises potential Olympic athletes to educate themselves on the virus before heading to Rio de Janeiro.

Rodriguez told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he wouldn’t blame athletes for skipping the Olympics, and that “if they have plans to have kids in the future, you’ve got to think about it.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults.

FEATURED STORIES

Rodriguez says he was bedridden for about two weeks with head and body aches, sore joints and other symptoms. It felt like he had a cold at first, but as symptoms worsened, he went for bloodwork that determined it was Zika. It took about two months until he felt normal again.

The World Health Organization last week rejected a call from 150 health experts to consider postponing or moving the Olympics due to Zika in hard-hit Brazil. WHO argued the shift would make no significant difference to the spread of the virus.

Article continues after this advertisement

A number of possible Olympic participants have voiced concerns about Zika recently, including Pau Gasol, Serena Williams and Rory McIlroy. Gasol says he has considering skipping Rio altogether.

“It’s something people have to be careful with and worry about,” Rodriguez said. “There’s no vaccine for it. It’s not like you take a shot and (improve). … It could be global.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Detroit Tigers, Francisco Rodriguez, rio de janerio, Zika

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.