Zika Virus and Ebola Virus

Fertility Treatment, Sperm and Egg Donation Advice in the UK

You may be aware of the current concerns regarding Zika virus infection and the harm it may cause to a baby during pregnancy.

In the UK, current advice is that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should consider avoiding travel to countries where Zika outbreaks are ongoing, in order to reduce the risk of fetal microcephaly.

Almost all cases of Zika are acquired via mosquito bites. However, a small number of cases of transmission following intercourse have been reported, and in a limited number of cases, the virus has been shown to be present in semen.

Advice for Individuals Considering or Undergoing Fertility Treatment

Travellers returning from affected areas should consider the following guidance to minimise the risk of Zika virus transmission:

• Female traveller, symptomatic or asymptomatic, should not try to conceive naturally, donate gametes (sperm or egg) or proceed with fertility treatment for eight weeks
• Male traveller, symptomatic or asymptomatic, should not try to conceive naturally, donate gametes or proceed with fertility treatment for three months
• A person who has had a known Zika virus infection or is recovering from an illness compatible with Zika virus should not try to conceive naturally, donate gametes (define gametes) or proceed with fertility treatment for three months

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that originated in Africa, where a large outbreak occurred in 2014-15. In June 2016, the outbreak was officially declared over.

The 2014-15 outbreak of Ebola mainly affected three countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Some cases also occurred in parts of central Africa.

There is still a small chance occasional cases of Ebola may occur in Africa as the virus is present in several countries there.

Gamete use or donation from people who have been in an area infected with Ebola virus is two years after leaving the affected area.

As a precaution we are asking all patients to complete a short questionnaire concerning travel.

If you would like to discuss this further please let a member of the team know.

Further information available at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ebola-origins-reservoirs-transmission-and-guidelines/ebola-overview-history-origins-and-transmission

COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY ZIKA VIRUS

As of 19^th July 2019