Sexual transmission of Zika virus in Germany, April 2016

Euro Surveill. 2016 Jun 9;21(23). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2016.21.23.30252.

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes a mild dengue fever-like illness but has recently been associated with neurological disease and severe birth defects. The virus is currently causing a large epidemic in the Americas. Here, we report a male-to-female sexual transmission of ZIKV in Germany in April 2016, following travel to Puerto Rico of the male patient, demonstrated by subsequent seroconversions and molecular identification of identical virus sequences from both patients.

Keywords: Germany; PCR; Semen; Zika virus; sexual transmission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Puerto Rico
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / virology*
  • Travel
  • Unsafe Sex*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology*