Health Ministry Asks Men to Avoid Intimacy for 6 Months after Surviving Ebola: “Virus Stays in Semen”

The Ministry of Health has advised male Ebola survivors to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least six months after recovery or consistently use condoms, warning that the virus can remain in semen long after symptoms have disappeared.

In a public health advisory issued amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), health officials said the precaution is intended to prevent further transmission of the disease.

According to the ministry, scientific evidence shows that the Ebola virus may persist in semen even after a patient has fully recovered and tested negative for the disease. Health experts say sexual transmission from survivors, although uncommon, remains a documented risk.

“Men who recover from Ebola should avoid sex for at least six months or use condoms consistently and correctly because the virus can stay in semen even after recovery,” the ministry said in its advisory.

The guidance comes as Uganda remains on high alert following confirmed Ebola cases linked to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in neighboring DRC. Health authorities have intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to contain the spread of the virus.

The World Health Organization has previously reported that Ebola virus genetic material can persist in semen for months after recovery, with some studies detecting viral remnants for more than a year in certain survivors. As a result, international health agencies have long recommended safe sexual practices for Ebola survivors.

The Ministry of Health said survivors will continue receiving counseling and follow-up support to help them safely reintegrate into their communities while minimizing the risk of transmission. Officials also urged the public to remain vigilant and seek medical attention immediately if Ebola symptoms such as fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding appear.

Uganda has recently recorded several Ebola cases associated with the regional outbreak, prompting authorities to strengthen border controls and public health measures as efforts continue to prevent further spread of the disease.