Hantavirus May Persist in Human Semen for Six Years, Raising Sexual Transmission Risks
A peer-reviewed study conducted by the Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland reveals that the Andes strain of Hantavirus can survive in human semen for up to six years, posing a potential sexual transmission risk even after recovery. Researchers investigated a 55-year-old Swiss man who contracted the virus in South America and found detectable viral traces in his semen 71 months post-infection, despite its absence in blood and other fluids. The testes act as an immune-privileged reservoir, similar to mechanisms observed with Ebola and Zika viruses. Although sexual transmission of Hantavirus has not yet been documented, experts recommend adopting safe sex protocols analogous to WHO guidelines for Ebola survivors. This includes regular semen testing and consistent condom use or abstinence until clearance. The findings have implications for current health monitoring, including cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise. Health agencies like the UK Health Security Agency are reviewing guidance to advise male patients on reducing onward transmission risks, emphasizing the need for extended safe-sex education beyond standard quarantine periods.
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