THE 2016 Olympic Games are almost upon us, and I know readers will be joining me in willing on our talented and determined British Olympians and Paralympians as they head off to Rio. We all remember the electric atmosphere in London four years ago as the games inspired the nation, and now Rio 2016 is looking to be Britain’s most successful ever games away from home.

We have a brilliant team of sportsmen and women from a diverse range of backgrounds representing us in Rio, with reigning Olympic champions and world-record holders among the British athletes hoping to bring back the Gold.

But there’s also a serious health message that needs to go out to all those travelling to Brazil this summer.

Zika Virus is generally a mild illness, spread through mosquito bites and, in some instances sexual contact, which people often do not realise they've caught because the majority of people infected do not experience any symptoms. For those who do, the symptoms are mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.

For most people Zika is nothing to worry about, but the disease poses a greater risk if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby and it can have very serious consequences for the unborn child, potentially resulting in deformities and stunted growth of the head. If you do feel unwell, expert advice is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers. Of course anyone experiencing symptoms should visit their GP as soon as they return to the UK. For more information visit: gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-country-specific-risk.

Health professionals have given clear, practical advice on the steps we should take if we are travelling to any Zika affected area. If you are worried, talk to your GP before you travel to check you have had all the right vaccinations and medication.

Although many top researchers here at Oxford and around the world are working hard to develop a Zika vaccine, we don't have one yet.

However there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself. These include using insect repellent high in either DEET, Picaridin or PMD concentration (it is worth taking this with you as they may not have it in Brazil); and wearing loose fitting long sleeved tops and trousers during the day time when mosquitos are most likely to bite. You should also ensure you use condoms while at the Olympics, for eight weeks after you get back, six months if you experience symptoms of the virus and for the duration of any pregnancy.

The World Health Organization has said that there's a "low risk" of people catching or spreading the Zika Virus during the games, but nevertheless it’s worth all athletes, spectators and media travelling to Brazil taking this medical advice seriously whilst we enjoy seeing our Olympians and Paralympians make Britain proud, not to mention hopes for a repeat of 2012’s Super Saturday!