During multiple independent interviews, the patients consistently described illness onset, symptoms, sexual history and the woman’s travel. The case was reported by Alexander Davidson, MPH, and colleagues of the NYC DOHMH and published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).2
Guidance for Prevention of Sexual Transmission
Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus assumes that transmission occurs from a male partner to a receptive partner. The April guidance applies to men who have traveled to or reside in areas with active Zika virus outbreaks and their sex partners. The CDC notes that there is still only a poor understanding of the duration and pattern of Zika virus spreading in the male genitourinary tract. Absent a full understanding, the guidance recommends that men with a confirmed Zika virus infection use condoms or abstain from sex for at least six months after the onset of illness. Additionally, the guidance suggests that men who have traveled to or reside in an area with active Zika virus outbreak and their pregnant sex partners consistently use condoms during sex or abstain from sex.
The report by Mr. Davidson and his colleagues would suggest that all individuals who would like to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus should either abstain from sex or correctly and consistently use condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.
References
- Cao-Lormeau VM, Blake A, Mons S, et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome outbreak associated with Zika virus infection in French Polynesia: A case-control study. Lancet. 2016 Apr 9;387(10027):1531–1539.
- Davidson A, Slavinski S, Komoto K, et al. Suspected female-to-male sexual transmission of zika virus—New York City 2016. MMWR Early Release. 2016 Jul 15.
