South Korea designed its Olympic uniforms to protect against Zika

Athletes may be pushing their bodies to the limit this summer in Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Games, but the South Korean team isn't taking any chances when it comes to infectious disease.

The country recently unveiled its team uniforms, which were designed with long sleeves, pants, and jackets specifically to protect athletes from the mosquito-borne Zika virus that is plaguing parts of Brazil.

In addition to offering greater physical coverage, South Korea's uniforms are infused with repellent designed to ward off the disease-carrying pests.

Zika's presence in South America has grown over the last several months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the virus' threat level as "Alert," the middle of the three levels between "Watch" and "Warning," which advises people to take enhanced precautions. 

Zika's primary threat is to pregnant women. A recent New England Journal of Medicine study found 29% of women who carried Zika delivered children with fetal abnormalities, the most common of which is an underdeveloped brain condition known as microcephaly.

South Korea's uniforms could also protect against another dangerous mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever, which infected some 1.6 million Brazilians in 2015. There is no vaccine for either Zika or dengue.

Spectators won't see South Korea's uniforms during competition, however, as the International Olympic Committee strictly regulates how athletes must dress during the Games.

They will only wear the protective clothing during ceremonies, training, and in the athletes' village, the Associated Press reports.

The U.S. uniforms, meanwhile, don't seem to pay much mind to Zika.

Designed by Polo Ralph Lauren, the same designer behind the 2012 Games uniforms, the get-ups features button downs, twill shorts, and boat shoes. Polo Ralph Lauren did not immediately reply for comment.