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. 2019 Apr;25(4):808-810.
doi: 10.3201/eid2504.180977.

Prolonged Shedding of Zika Virus RNA in Vaginal Secretions, Nicaragua

Yaoska Reyes, Natalie M Bowman, Sylvia Becker-Dreps, Edwing Centeno, Matthew H Collins, Guei-Jiun Alice Liou, Filemón Bucardo

Prolonged Shedding of Zika Virus RNA in Vaginal Secretions, Nicaragua

Yaoska Reyes et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Zika virus, an arthropod-borne flavivirus pathogen in humans, is unusual because it can be sexually transmitted and can be shed for prolonged periods in semen. We report viral shedding in vaginal secretions for up to 6 months, indicating the potential for sexual and vertical transmission by infected women.

Keywords: Nicaragua; Zika virus; sexually transmitted diseases; shedding; transmission; vaginal secretions; viruses.

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