- Title: LIBERIA-EBOLA/SEX Fear of Ebola's sexual transmission drives abstinence, panic
- Date: 25th February 2015
- Summary: MONROVIA LIBERIA (FEBRUARY 19, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PABAI AND HIS SON PLAYING FOOTBALL PABAI AND WRIGHT TALKING
- Embargoed: 12th March 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Liberia
- Country: Liberia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA39DNKHIOW1QA7RN5ABPE755A9
- Story Text: Musa Pabai left an Ebola treatment centre in Liberia in November; grateful to have survived a disease that has killed nearly 10,000 people across West Africa but fearing he still could pose grave danger the person closest to him.
By Valentines Day, nearly three months later, the 23-year-old had not yet returned to Hannah, his partner and mother of his young son, Oliver.
Research has shown traces of Ebola in semen of some survivors for at least 82 days after the onset of symptoms and in vaginal secretions for a much shorter period.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises Ebola survivors LIKE Pabai to abstain from sex during a 90-day period following recovery, or, failing that, to practice safe sex.
Pabai has been on a self-imposed exile, afraid that he could still infect his girlfriend through sexual contact despite his clean bill of health.
"Since they told me to stay away for 3 months but I am going to make it five. Five good months," he said.
Scientists say testes are a reservoir for Ebola because white blood cells, which protect the body against infectious disease, are unable to effectively destroy the virus there.
Although there is no conclusive scientific proof these traces are infectious, anecdotal evidence of several cases in West Africa and confirmed transmission in Marburg, another viral haemorrhagic fever, have led experts to warn of the risk of sexually transmitted Ebola.
With the disease typically taking 15 to 21 days to run its course, this means traces of Ebola can remain in semen for around two months after recovery.
This has raised the prospect of new infections, even in areas free of the disease, just as the year-long epidemic appears to be receding across the region.
"There has been some facts that the semen is still infected for 90 days after the onset of the symptoms. In that case every male survivor that is leaving our structure, we give them for that period of time condoms because we think its very important that when they have sex they have protected sex. So we explain that very well to the survivors," said Leen Verhenne, Medical Coordinator, Ebola Treatment Centre.
Health officials declare Ebola outbreaks officially over after countries complete 42 days - twice the incubation period for Ebola - without recording new infections.
Recently Pabai finally went home to Walakor, his village just outside Monrovia to see his family. Though he was happy to be home, he still worried for Hannah's health.
His partner on the other hand was just grateful to see him return home.
"The time Musa was sick, I used to bathe him, we slept in the same room, but the way his condition was looking, he went to the ETU. I started worrying about myself and the little child, but then nothing happen to us. But I really worry about him because after he left, he was in coma for one week five days, we didn't hear from him," said Hannah.
Worries over sexual transmission risk adding to the stigmatisation Ebola survivors already face, and are protracting the emotional burden of families often struggling to overcome the recent deaths of relatives.
While men like Pabai have taken the WHO's advice a step further by separating themselves from their loved ones, amid rumours of men infecting their partners, some traumatised communities have imposed even more draconian measures of discriminating against survivors and even detaining them in camps.
On Valentine's day survivors marched through the streets of Monrovia in a bid to stop further stigma and educate the public on Ebola facts.
Infections are now receding, potentially freeing up resources to test the semen of male survivors for the virus.
The number of new cases has plummeted but officials have said much work still needs to be done before the virus is snuffed out in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three worst affected nations. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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