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Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, 26,298 people have been infected with the virus and a staggering number of 10,892 have died according to World Health Organization gathered data. The countries most affected were Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
While efforts to contain the virus have been successful, Ebola and the possibilities of contamination are still being studied. Initially, the World Health Organization advised survivors of the outbreak to abstain from intercourse or use condoms for a period of three months. Yet, a new occurrence proved the contrary, raising questions about the validity of medical findings so far.
A 44-year-old female contracted Ebola after having unprotected sex with an Ebola male survivor. The incident was reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was stated that the woman was brought to hospital on March 17 after accusing severe headaches, weakness, nausea and pain in the joints. On March 20 she was diagnosed with the Ebola virus.
The case drew attention on the possibility that this is an isolated occurrence or not, although investigations in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea indicated there have been other ten cases in these countries. So far, however, no relation between contracting the virus and sexual relations was established.
Nonetheless, it is recommended that at least 6 months pass now until a previously infected person is allowed to engage in sexual relations. Or that at until more information is available, at least protective measures such as the use of condoms should be the to-go option.
In connection to the case, a spokesperson from the CDC declared that:
“The investigation identified only one epidemiologic link to Ebola: unprotected vaginal intercourse with a survivor. Published reports from previous outbreaks have demonstrated Ebola survivors can continue to harbor virus in immunologically privileged sites for a period of time after convalescence”.
Image Source: abcnews.com
