Ebola Might Be Transmitted Sexually - WHO

WHO had directed all Ebola survivors and their sexual partners to receive counselling to guard
against possible transmission of the disease.

 This was made known in a statement by WHO to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday. It indicated that the sexual transmission of the Ebola Virus is yet to be established. WHO said :

 "The possible transmision of the Ebola Virus from males to females is a strong possiblity, but has not yet been proven; Less probably, but theoretically possible.








"Studies has shown that Ebola Virus can be isolated from semen up to 82 days after symptom onset.

 "A recent case investigation identified genetic materials (RNA) from the virus by nucleic acid
 amplification test (such as RT- PCR) 199 days
after symptom onset.


 " This is well beyond the virus detecting ability
 in the blood of survivors and long after recovery from the illness.

 "The detection of virus genetic material many months after symptom onset is assumed to reflect continuing, or at least very recent presence of live or transmissible Ebola virus.


 "More surveillance  data and researcha are needed on the risks of sexual transmission and particularly on the pervallence of viable and transmissible virus in semen over time, WHO said.


 "WHO  recommends that, in the interim, all Ebola survivors and their sexual partners should receive counselling.

 "It added that this is to ensure safe sexual practices until their semen is twice tested negative; survivors should be provided with condoms.

 "Ebola survivors and their sexual partners should either abstain from all types of sex or observe safe sex
 correct and consistence use of condoms until their semen is twice tested negative.












"Having tested negative, survivors can resume normal sexual practices without fear of Ebola virus tranmission," the statement added.