Experts have confirmed that Ebola Virus could be transmitted sexually as the virus has been found to remain in the semen of an infected survivor three months after recovery from illness.
Professor Pontiano Kaleebu, the executive director of Uganda Virus Research Institute, during an interview, said although Ebola is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, that in some studies, experts have found the virus in sperms after recovery.
A clinical epidemiologist, Dr. Ataro Ayella, who has managed previous Ebola outbreaks in Bundibugyo in 2007, Liberia in 2014, and DR Congo in 2019, have also disclosed that Ebola can be transmitted sexually even if the survivor has no symptoms of the disease.
As a follow-up of the recent outbreak reported in Uganda, the country’s ministry of health has advised survivors to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least three months unless they use condoms as one preventive way to curb the spread of the disease.
The ministry also disclosed that Ebola Virus survivors will have their blood tested in the laboratory to ensure the virus is no longer in their bodies before they are allowed to return home.
While adding that besides having got cured of the disease, relapse or reinfection could occur depending on the immunity of the person and other co-existing diseases, said Dr. Ayella added.
Studies also have shown that a Liberian woman was infected with Ebola following sexual intercourse with a male Ebola survivor.
Dr. Ayella also explained that “The nature of the virus gives it the ability to survive for long in reserves in the body such as the brain, spinal fluid, semen, placenta, and eyes even when after the patient is declared cured.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that a sample taken from a 24-year-old man was identified as the relatively rare Sudan strain.
It is the first time in more than a decade that the Sudan strain has been found in Uganda, which also saw an outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola virus in 2019.
Suspicious deaths
The latest outbreak follows six suspicious deaths in Mubende district so far this month. There are also eight suspected cases who are receiving care in a health facility.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, said that the UN agency was working closely with Ugandan authorities to investigate the source, and support efforts to control it.
“Uganda is no stranger to effective Ebola control”, she said. “Thanks to its expertise, action has been taken too quickly to detect the virus and we can bank on this knowledge to halt the spread of infections.”
No effective vaccine
Existing vaccines against Ebola have proved effective against the Zaire strain but it is not clear if they will be as successful against the Sudan strain, WHO said in a statement.
Five studies conducted during previous outbreaks have also demonstrated that Ebola could be detected, at least by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in the semen and vaginal fluid of EVD survivors following clearance of viremia.
