The Zika virus can be stored in the tissue banks of sperm from donators. The CDC explains that freezing sperm does not nicely inactive the virus.
The three Florida counties on alert for this possible transmission through sperm donations are Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. The CDC recommends that sperm donor recipients may want to use donations from other sources at this time.
According to the CDC’s website, “Blood donations throughout the United States are tested for Zika with laboratory testing, resulting in the removal of Zika virus positive collections in multiple states and Puerto Rico. Testing for tissue donors, including semen donors, is not currently available; however, tissue donors are asked travel history questions, and if they have traveled to or live in an area of active Zika virus transmission they would be determined ineligible under current FDA guidance.”
The CDC recommends that healthcare providers should counsel their pregnant patients who might have been exposed to semen from men potentially infected with Zika virus about this risk.
What is Zika Virus
Zika virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito. Zika virus can also be spread by sexual contact. Although 4 out of 5 people infected with Zika virus never develop symptoms, when symptoms do occur they may include fever, arthralgia, maculopapular rash, and conjunctivitis.
In addition, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects (e.g., microcephaly) and is associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Most cases of Zika infection in the United States are travel related and as people continue to travel to tropical areas where the Aedes mosquito is more common, the United States will continue to have cases of Zika virus throughout the country.
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