Stay away from sex for 3 months, WHO to Ebola survivors
Men who recover from Ebola should abstain from sex for three
months to minimize the risk of passing the virus on in their semen, the World
Health Organisation, WHO, said on Friday, reports NBC news.
Ebola, a disease that has infected and killing thousands in
a vast epidemic in West Africa , normally
spreads via bodily fluids such as blood, saliva and faeces. Although sexual
transmission of Ebola virus disease has never been documented, the virus has
been detected in the survivors' semen.
"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," the WHO said in a statement.
"Because of the potential to transmit the virus
sexually during this time, they should maintain good personal hygiene after
masturbation, and either abstain from sex (including oral sex) for three months
after onset of symptoms, or use condoms if abstinence is not possible."
Almost 16,000 people are known to have been infected with
Ebola in the current outbreak and 5,689 of them have died. The virus causes
hemorrhagic fever, and there is as yet no cure or vaccine.
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