Health
First sexual transmission of Ebola virus case comes to light
New York, Oct 16 Using genomic analysis, researchers have found that a woman in Liberia contracted the deadly Ebola virus early this year after having sexual intercourse with a male survivor of the disease.
The work provides molecular evidence of Ebola virus (EBOV) transmission between an Ebola virus disease survivor and his female partner, the researchers said.
The findings were a result of collaboration between US Army scientists with the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR).
It also demonstrates the value of real-time genomic surveillance during an outbreak, according to senior author Gustavo Palacios from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).
Scientists working at the LIBR earlier this year analysed blood samples from a female patient who tested positive for EBOV in March 2015 when there had been no new documented cases for 30 days, Suzanne Mate of USAMRIID said.
The patient was reported to have had recent sexual intercourse with a male partner who had survived EVD and had been declared EBOV negative in early October 2014.
Following the patient's death on March 27, public health officials were able to secure the consent of the male survivor to obtain and test a semen sample from him.
"Ebola virus genomes assembled from the patient's blood and the survivor's semen were consistent with direct transmission," Jason Ladner of USAMRIID said.
Ebola virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates with high mortality rates and continues to emerge in new geographic locations, including Western Africa, the site of the largest recorded outbreak to date.
Over 28,000 confirmed, probable and suspected cases have been reported so far in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with over 11,000 reported deaths , according to the World Health Organisation.
The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

7 hours ago
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap

8 hours ago
UN chief condemns deadly Israeli attack on Gaza church

9 hours ago
Working to get High Commissioners deployed in two capitals': MEA reiterates to normalise India-Canada ties

10 hours ago
Trump directs AG Pam Bondi to unseal Epstein Grand Jury Records amid supporter pressure and media uproar

11 hours ago
Leaders don’t feel for people: LoP Gandhi’s broadside hit at CPI(M) at Chandy’s death anniversary

12 hours ago
Bhumi Pednekar’s sister Samiksha calls the actress her ‘biggest blessing’ in a touching birthday tribute

12 hours ago
Arjun Kapoor goes shirtless at the gym, shows off his ‘work in progress’ physique

12 hours ago
India’s maiden Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan gets biopic

12 hours ago
Ahaan Panday thanks ‘Saiyaara’ co-star Aneet Padda for the lessons and mentorship in heartfelt post

12 hours ago
‘Baadshah’ actress Deepshikha Nagpal shares her deep connection with the monsoon season

12 hours ago
Soha Ali Khan reveals her morning detox ritual rooted in self-love

12 hours ago
Just because I direct films doesn't mean I can't also act, says Nandita Das

13 hours ago
Priyanka Chopra receives the sweetest birthday wish from mom Dr. Madhu Chopra