Coronavirus detected in breast milk for the first time

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Researchers have demonstrated the genetic makeup of the virus in the breast milk of a woman infected with Sars-CoV-2. However, it is unclear whether your child, who is also sick, became infected.

Virologists from Ulm detected the new coronavirus for the first time in the breast milk of a woman suffering from Covid-19. Your baby was also sick with the virus, said the scientists around Jan Münch and Rüdiger Groß from the University of Ulm. It is still unclear whether the child was really infected through breast milk.

Two mothers examined

The virologists examined the breast milk of two women who shared a room with their babies after giving birth in the hospital. When one of the women developed symptoms of the disease, she was isolated with her newborn.

A test showed that they were both infected with Sars-CoV-2. The roommate didn't notice symptoms until later, but then - like her child - she tested positive.

Results are different

The scientists found no evidence of the new coronavirus in the breast milk samples of the woman who was first affected. In contrast, the result in the samples from the second mother was positive four times. The reason for this is currently not yet clear, said Münch. After 14 days, the virus was no longer detectable in breast milk and the mother and her child recovered from Covid-19.

The mother, who later became ill, had worn mouth and nose protection when handling her child and disinfected her hands and breasts. In addition, she regularly sterilized the utensils for breastfeeding. It remains unclear whether the baby was actually infected while breastfeeding, the researchers emphasize.

"Our study shows that Sars-CoV-2 can be found in breast milk in breastfeeding women with acute infection. But we do not yet know how often this is the case, whether the viruses in the milk are also infectious and through breastfeeding can be transmitted to the infant. "

All clear from the WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) had so far not recorded any evidence of the new coronavirus in breast milk. "There is no reason to avoid or stop breastfeeding," says the recommendations on the organization's website. (ag / dpa)

Tags:  womenshealth healthy workplace anatomy