Traces of Ebola Virus Found in Semen Sample Six Months After Recovery: WHO

The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history began in late 2013 and has killed more than 10,600 people, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The World Health Organization had previously said the Ebola virus had been detected in semen around three months after a patient had been declared Ebola free. Now, the UN health agency has found traces of Ebola in the semen of a man six months after his recovery. This new finding has led the WHO to recommend that Ebola survivors abstain from having sex or that they practice safe sex using a condom beyond the three-month period previously prescribed.

Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesman said, "The man had been declared free of the deadly virus in Liberia last September. He has provided a semen sample which has tested positive for Ebola, 175 days after his negative blood test. Ebola survivors should consider correct and consistent use of condoms for all sexual acts beyond three months until more information is available. More research was needed before WHO could provide more detailed advice. We need to understand better if this particular case is an anomaly or if there really are groups of people who might (carry) parts of the Ebola virus longer."

Bruce Aylward, who heads WHO’s Ebola response, said, "Until more is known, Ebola survivors should abstain from sex or practice safe sex until further notice. A number of studies were already under way, as well as discussions about whether Ebola survivors should be systematically screened after three months to determine their status. We should have answers to allow us to give more definitive advice to survivors very, very quickly."

Source-Medindia