Aussie athletes to be issued Zika-proof 'super condoms' in Brazil

A leading pharmaceutical company will provide Aussie Olympians competing in Rio with "super strength" condoms to safeguard against the Zika virus rife in Brazil.

Starpharma claims the 1500-odd prophylactics – to be distributed among the 137 athletes donning the green and gold in August – feature an anti-bacterial lubricant, making them "doubly effective".

The condoms are greased with an antimicrobial agent called astodrimer sodium, which the company claims to have "potent antiviral" properties that work against Zika, which survives longer in semen that it does in blood.

Although rarely deadly, the Zika outbreak in Brazil has been linked to thousands of cases of microcephelacy in infants, prompting health authorities to call for the cancellation of the Rio Games for fear of a worldwide outbreak.

Brazil's response has been to stock vending machines in the Olympic Village with about 450,000 condoms, which will have to be enough to service some 10,500 athletes over three weeks.

Although the antibacterial condoms no doubt add an extra layer of peace of mind, the regular product is about 98 per cent effective in preventing the transmission of STIs and preventing pregnancy.