There are new warnings in regards to the sexual transmission of the Zika virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now broadened its recommendations when it comes to the Zika virus and safe sex. According to the report, both men and women are now being advised to practice safe sex for six months after returning from areas with active Zika virus transmission.
“We know that the virus can persist in the body for several months and particularly in males for example in semen, I think they’ve shown in two to three months you can find live virus there and this is in the absence of any clinical signs of disease,” said Dr. Andrew Potter, president and CEO of VIDO-InterVac in Saskatoon.
READ MORE: Zika virus: No unprotected sex for 6 months after travel to affected areas, WHO says
According to WHO, the Zika virus is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes; however, mounting evidence shows that the sexual transmission of the virus is perhaps more common than previously assumed.
“I think what this highlights really is how much we don’t know about Zika virus, that they err on the side of caution,” Potter said.
“Where this comes from I think is we’ve known that you transmit Zika virus male to female sexually but there’s only been one case fairly recently of female to male and that was in New York City.”
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Zika can cause severe birth defects and confirmed cases in Florida have now prompted travel warnings. Health authorities and travel agencies say both expectant moms and couples planning to have a family in the immediate future should be cautious.
“I don’t think there’s enough information about it yet that you have to be a little bit cautious and certainly ladies are going to see their doctor and sometimes doctors will say no just don’t go there. The good thing about it, it’s not everywhere,” said Barb Crowe, president of Ixtapa Travel in Saskatoon.
“There are lots of other places they can go to just to be safe – you want to be safe.”
As of Aug. 26, a total of 17 studies have been published on the sexual transmission of the Zika virus. WHO said more new evidence comes to light, its guidelines will be reviewed and recommendations will be updated.
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