Scientists discover Zika virus is ‘active’ in saliva and urine

Bruno Gomes Antunes shows a picture of his daughter, who was born with microcephaly, at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. (Lianne Milton/Panos Pictures/For the Washington Post)

By Dom Phillips and Nick Miroff-February 5

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian researchers said Friday that they had found the “active” presence of the Zika virus in saliva and urine samples, raising the possibility that the infection could be spread through kissing and other contact involving bodily fluids.

Until now, Zika was believed to be mostly transmitted by mosquitoes, although in some cases it is suspected of having moved from one person to another through sexual intercourse or a blood transfusion. Researchers said the latest discovery meant extra care was needed, especially in contacts with pregnant women, given the possible link of the virus to a sharp increase here in reports of the birth defect microcephaly.

Specifically, authorities said pregnant women should stay away from crowds and avoid sharing cups or cutlery with anyone suspected of being infected with the virus. If such women are in touch with someone showing the symptoms of Zika, “do not kiss them, obviously,” said Paulo Gadelha, president of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil’s leading ­medical research institution.

Scientists at the foundation said in a statement that they had ­observed for the first time in saliva and urine “the destruction or modification of cells provoked by Zika, which proved viral activity.”

[CDC: To avoid Zika exposure, consider avoiding sex]

 

“It was already known that the virus could be present in urine and saliva. This is the first time that we showed that the virus is active — in other words, with the potential to provoke infection,” Myrna Bonaldo, a researcher and one of the team leaders, said in the statement.

Infectious-disease specialists said the discovery should not take the focus away from the battle to control the mosquito that carries the virus.

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