THE HSE’S DISEASE agency is urging men to wear a condom during sex for one month after returning from a country affected by the Zika virus.

“Zika virus can be passed between sexual partners in the man’s semen,” the Health Protection Surveillance Agency said. 

This is especially likely if he developed symptoms of Zika virus disease.

The statement also warned that anyone with symptoms which could be due to Zika such as fever, headache, aches, rash or itchy eyes should practice safe sex for six months following the start of his symptoms.

The agency added:

This is a precaution and may be revised as more information becomes available.

The HSE confirmed last night that two adults in Ireland had been infected with Zika. The two cases were unrelated and both adults are said to be fully recovered.

International emergency 

The mosquito-borne virus has swept through countries in South and Central America recently.

Although rarely fatal, there has been an exponential rise in cases of a rare birth defect in Brazil, thought to be linked to the virus. Microcephaly involves babies being born with smaller than normal heads and brains.

Pregnant women are being advised to avoid travelling to affected countries and the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory for the areas.

The Irish warnings follow a US case of sexual transmission identified in Texas yesterday, confirming that the virus is not just spread by tropical mosquitoes.

There had been two previous suspected cases of sexual transmission in 2008 and 2015.

The World Health Organisation has declared the spike in serious birth defects in South America an international emergency and launched a global Zika response unit.

Includes reporting from AFP. 

Read: WHO declares Zika virus an international emergency

Read: Travel warning issued for pregnant Irish women