A 16-month Associated Press study found waste levels in Rio de Janeiro water remain dangerously high ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games, with athletes and spectators in danger of becoming "violently ill" due to viruses.
Jenny Barchfield of the AP reported anyone who consumes three or more teaspoons of the contaminated water—roughly half of an ounce—is "almost certain" to become infected by viruses. The water levels most regularly cause gastroenteritis (the stomach flu) but can also cause inflammation of the heart and brain.
The adenovirus, which can cause cold-like symptoms in healthy individuals or dangerous illness in those who are immunodeficient, was found in 90 percent of waters tested.