Sperm can carry Ebola for 3 months, says WHO

Male reproductive cell spermatozoon has been discovered to be capable of carrying the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) for as long as 82 days.

In a public message posted on its website, the World Health Organisation said sexual transmission of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) had not been documented, but recent studies had shown that the virus could be active in the sperm for as long as three months.

“In four studies that investigated persistence of Ebola virus in seminal fluid from convalescent patients (a total of 43 patients), three men who had recovered from Ebola virus disease were reported to shed live virus in semen 40 days, 61 days and 82 days after onset of symptoms, respectively,” it said.

“In two studies, Ebola virus was isolated from semen, but subsequent infections were not identified in household contacts.

“Men who have recovered from Ebola virus disease should be aware that seminal fluid may be infectious for as long as three months after onset of symptoms.”

As a result of this discovery, men have been urged to maintain good personal hygiene after masturbation, and abstain from sex (including oral sex) for three months after onset of symptoms, or use condoms if abstinence is impossible.

The Ebola virus is contracted via bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, faeces, saliva, urine, tears, and vaginal and seminal fluids.

WHO added that studies were still inconclusive on how infectious the virus in the semen could be, and therefore recommended that contact should be avoided.

It also discouraged isolation of survivors beyond the established 21-day window period.

Ebola has claimed at least 5,700 lives since it broke out in March 2014.