- The Ministry of Health in Uganda advises Ebola survivors to avoid intimacy for up to 6 months or use condoms consistently
- The Ministry of Health Uganda explains that while patients test negative in blood, Ebola can remain in bodily fluids after recovery
- The advisory sparked mixed reactions online, with some questioning the science and others supporting strict precautions to prevent further infection risks
The Ugandan government has advised men recovering from Ebola to avoid sexual activity for up to six months or to consistently use condoms.
Source: Getty Images
This is after health officials warned that the virus can remain in semen even after recovery.
In an advisory issued by the Ministry of Health, Uganda, it stated that Ebola survivors are tested before discharge to confirm the virus is no longer present in their blood.
“People who recover from Ebola are tasted before returning home to ensure the virus is no longer in their blood. Men should avoid intimacy for 6 months pr use condoms consistently and correctly,” read the advisory in part.
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Further, the Ministry stated that although patients may test negative in blood samples, the virus can persist in bodily fluids such as semen for months.
“This is because the virus can stay in semen even after recovery,” the ministry said.
How id Ugandans react to Ebola survivors avoiding intimacy?
The advisory has sparked debate online, with some Ugandans questioning the recommendation while others supported the caution.
Drake said:
“Did I just read six months? Besides, are you trying to say that Ebola is intimately transmitted too?”
TattleTales said:
“The onus is on the women to refuse intimacy with such men, coz why would one risk their life like that?”
Amoru Christopher stated:
“Ebola patient fully recovered is discharged after a negative blood test. So what happens that he has to avoid intimacy for six months? Please make me understand why so. Otherwise, bravo.”
Wod Luo wrote:
“You people need to do better research. The way the so-called experts lost their credibility during COVID it makes it hard for people to trust anything coming from you guys.”
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EKUKULERUT said:
“The correct advice should be abstinence for upto 1 year unless tests on serum confirm you are not shading virus in semen.”
Zigo stated:
“Actually, Ebola is an epidemic. To avoid political correctness, in DRC, SS and UG, main carriers are Bantu people. Other groups only contract when in proximity to Bantu groups. So, intimacyadvice should go first to Bantu people of the region.”
Source: Getty Images
Government conducts preparedness assessment of Ebola at JKIA
In a related story, the ministry of heath has ramped up the public health standards at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to boost early detection and enhance response capacity as well as boost overall health security.
The ministry of health led by Public Health and Professional Standards Principal secretary Mary Muthoni visited the airport to conduct the assessment among them use of thermal scanners, passenger screening protocols and laboratory preparedness.
Others include surveillance of aircraft and wastewater and coordination mechanisms for emergency response.
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
