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Rachel V Thomas

Can Hantavirus Spread Through Semen And Breast Milk? What Experts Say

Amid growing discussions around hantavirus transmission through body fluids, experts today stressed that cases involving transmission through breast milk or semen remain extremely rare and should not trigger unnecessary panic.

The discussions began after a 2023 study published in the journal Viruses found that the Andes strain of the rat-borne virus can persist in human semen for up to six years.

More concerning was the possibility that the virus could potentially be transmitted sexually even after a person has recovered, according to the peer-reviewed study.

The research, conducted by Swiss scientists at Spiez Laboratory, suggested that hantavirus may survive in the male reproductive tract like viruses such as Ebola.

“Taken together, our results show that the Andes virus has the potential for sexual transmission,” the study said. However, to date, no confirmed case of such transmission has been documented.

Why Viral RNA Can Persist In Semen

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the IMA research cell, explained that the detection of Andes virus RNA — the hantavirus strain linked to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak — in semen long after recovery is not entirely unexpected.

“The finding of RNA belonging to the Andes virus in human semen long after recovery is no surprise. In fact, this is a well-described scenario in at least 27 different viruses, including Zika and Ebola,” he said.

He explained that viruses reaching the testis enter what is known as an “immune-privileged” site protected by the blood-testis barrier (BTB).

“The testis is naturally shielded from the body’s immune system to protect newly formed sperm cells from being recognised and destroyed as ‘foreign’,” Dr. Rajeev said.

According to the expert, many viruses take advantage of this natural immune protection, allowing them to remain in the area longer than expected.

However, he clarified that although researchers detected viral RNA in semen, the virus itself could not be cultured, meaning there is no proof that the infectious virus remained present.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-outbreak-rare-bundibugyo-strain-confirmed-in-dr-congo-and-uganda-article-154332204" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Outbreak: Rare Bundibugyo Strain Confirmed In DR Congo And Uganda</a>

<h2>Can Hantavirus Spread Via Breast Milk?</h2>

Another study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a monthly open-access peer-reviewed medical journal published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the Andes strain of hantavirus through breast milk.

Andes virus (ANDV) is the only hantavirus known to spread between humans through close contact.

“We detected the genome and proteins of ANDV in breast milk cells from an infected mother in Chile who transmitted the virus to her child, suggesting gastrointestinal infection through breast milk as a route of ANDV person-to-person transmission,” the study said.

Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that while isolated cases of hantavirus transmission from mother to child through breast milk have been reported, they are highly uncommon.

“These cases of hantavirus transmission through breast milk from mother to child are very rare. As a general rule, there is no need to worry excessively,” he said.

According to him, mothers experiencing fever during the acute stage of illness may temporarily avoid breastfeeding because viral load tends to be highest during active infection and just before symptoms appear. However, he stressed that breastfeeding should not be stopped routinely out of fear.

Dr. Amitav explained that the situation is somewhat comparable to HIV transmission through breast milk, which also occurs in less than 1 percent of cases. Despite that, mothers in many developing countries are still advised to continue breastfeeding because the health risks of depriving infants of breast milk are often greater than the risk of viral transmission.

He noted that hantavirus differs significantly from HIV because it is generally an acute and transient infection, unlike HIV, which persists lifelong in body fluids.

“Hantavirus infection is acute and transient, whereas HIV is lifelong,” he said, adding that hantavirus usually clears from the body after recovery, including from semen and other body fluids.

How COVID Prepared Us To Tackle Virus Outbreaks, Dr N K Ganguly Explains

Sexual Transmission After Recovery Still Unclear

Dr. Rajeev noted that the Andes virus spreads primarily through close contact and shared personal space while a patient is symptomatic.

“Whether it can be sexually transmitted long after recovery remains unknown,” he said.

Overinterpreting RT-PCR Results

Dr. Amitav also cautioned against overinterpreting isolated reports of viral detection in semen or breast milk.

According to him, RT-PCR tests are extremely sensitive and may detect dead viral particles even after the infection has resolved. Therefore, a positive RT-PCR result does not necessarily mean that a person remains infectious.

“In fact, RT-PCR is highly sensitive and often used more for research and surveillance purposes. Detecting viral material does not always indicate active infection or transmission risk,” he said.

He added that hantavirus does not appear to persist as an infectious virus for a long period after recovery and that there is currently no strong evidence supporting long-term transmission once a patient has recovered.

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Amid growing discussions around hantavirus transmission through body fluids, experts today stressed that cases involving transmission through breast milk or semen remain extremely rare and should not trigger unnecessary panic.The discussions began after a 2023 study published in the journal Viruses found that the Andes strain of the rat-borne virus can persist in human semen for up to six years.More concerning was the possibility that the virus could potentially be transmitted sexually even after a person has recovered, according to the peer-reviewed study.The research, conducted by Swiss scientists at Spiez Laboratory, suggested that hantavirus may survive in the male reproductive tract like viruses such as Ebola.“Taken together, our results show that the Andes virus has the potential for sexual transmission,” the study said. However, to date, no confirmed case of such transmission has been documented.Why Viral RNA Can Persist In SemenSpeaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the IMA research cell, explained that the detection of Andes virus RNA — the hantavirus strain linked to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak — in semen long after recovery is not entirely unexpected.“The finding of RNA belonging to the Andes virus in human semen long after recovery is no surprise. In fact, this is a well-described scenario in at least 27 different viruses, including Zika and Ebola,” he said.He explained that viruses reaching the testis enter what is known as an “immune-privileged” site protected by the blood-testis barrier (BTB).“The testis is naturally shielded from the body’s immune system to protect newly formed sperm cells from being recognised and destroyed as ‘foreign’,” Dr. Rajeev said.According to the expert, many viruses take advantage of this natural immune protection, allowing them to remain in the area longer than expected.However, he clarified that although researchers detected viral RNA in semen, the virus itself could not be cultured, meaning there is no proof that the infectious virus remained present.Also read: Ebola Outbreak: Rare Bundibugyo Strain Confirmed In DR Congo And UgandaCan Hantavirus Spread Via Breast Milk?Another study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a monthly open-access peer-reviewed medical journal published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the Andes strain of hantavirus through breast milk.Andes virus (ANDV) is the only hantavirus known to spread between humans through close contact.“We detected the genome and proteins of ANDV in breast milk cells from an infected mother in Chile who transmitted the virus to her child, suggesting gastrointestinal infection through breast milk as a route of ANDV person-to-person transmission,” the study said.Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that while isolated cases of hantavirus transmission from mother to child through breast milk have been reported, they are highly uncommon.“These cases of hantavirus transmission through breast milk from mother to child are very rare. As a general rule, there is no need to worry excessively,” he said.According to him, mothers experiencing fever during the acute stage of illness may temporarily avoid breastfeeding because viral load tends to be highest during active infection and just before symptoms appear. However, he stressed that breastfeeding should not be stopped routinely out of fear.Dr. Amitav explained that the situation is somewhat comparable to HIV transmission through breast milk, which also occurs in less than 1 percent of cases. Despite that, mothers in many developing countries are still advised to continue breastfeeding because the health risks of depriving infants of breast milk are often greater than the risk of viral transmission.He noted that hantavirus differs significantly from HIV because it is generally an acute and transient infection, unlike HIV, which persists lifelong in body fluids.“Hantavirus infection is acute and transient, whereas HIV is lifelong,” he said, adding that hantavirus usually clears from the body after recovery, including from semen and other body fluids.Sexual Transmission After Recovery Still UnclearDr. Rajeev noted that the Andes virus spreads primarily through close contact and shared personal space while a patient is symptomatic.“Whether it can be sexually transmitted long after recovery remains unknown,” he said.Overinterpreting RT-PCR ResultsDr. Amitav also cautioned against overinterpreting isolated reports of viral detection in semen or breast milk.According to him, RT-PCR tests are extremely sensitive and may detect dead viral particles even after the infection has resolved. Therefore, a positive RT-PCR result does not necessarily mean that a person remains infectious.“In fact, RT-PCR is highly sensitive and often used more for research and surveillance purposes. Detecting viral material does not always indicate active infection or transmission risk,” he said.He added that hantavirus does not appear to persist as an infectious virus for a long period after recovery and that there is currently no strong evidence supporting long-term transmission once a patient has recovered.

can hantavirus spread through semen and breast milk? what experts say

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