Dengue is not only transmitted through a mosquito bite, but it can also be sexually transmitted, as confirmed by its first case in Spain.
Maki Pulido reported on GMA News “24 Oras” on Monday that a man in Spain was infected with dengue after having sex with his male partner with dengue.
It is said that the dengue virus remained in the blood and human urine for 23 days. But the infection also remains in the male’s semen for 37 days.
What happened to a man in Spain who contracted dengue through sexual intercourse was considered a rare medical case.
The man with dengue came from Cuba, where he became ill.
Dengue can be sexually transmitted, first case confirmed
“Walang history ng exposure yung Spanish citizen; ang meron lang dengue is the guy who came from Cuba. Then nagkaroon siya ng symptoms ng dengue the Spanish guy. So they tested him positive for dengue,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque.
(The Spanish citizen has no history of exposure; the only one who has dengue is the guy who came from Cuba. Then he had symptoms of dengue the Spanish guy. So they tested him positive for dengue.)
According to the World Health Organization, up to 390 million people contract dengue worldwide each year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control of America, besides mosquito bites,
a pregnant mother can also pass it on to her child. It can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplant, and when pierced by a contaminated syringe.
The incident in Spain is the first confirmed case of dengue that was sexually transmitted.
According to Duque, it is possible that the dengue virus was transmitted due to unprotected sex.
The DOH has bee campaigning protected sex because of rising HIV cases and even unwanted pregnancies.
In the anti-dengue campaign, keeping the environment clean is key to preventing dengue viruses from spreading to the area.