Outbreak of the Marburg virus hits Germany: The deadly Ebola-like virus claims ten lives in Rwanda

Two passengers traveling from Rwanda sparked a health scandal at Hamburg Central Station in Germany over fears they could be carriers of the deadly Marburg virus, a highly contagious and dangerous disease currently spreading in East Africa.

On Wednesday afternoon, emergency services cordoned off platform four at Hamburg Central Station after reports emerged that two passengers had developed flu-like symptoms during their train journey from Frankfurt. The passengers, a 26-year-old medical student and his girlfriend, were immediately taken to the Eppendorf University Hospital, which specializes in tropical diseases, for further examination.

According to the Hamburg fire department, the passengers were alerted when the student, who had arrived from Rwanda, felt mild vomiting and suspected an infection. “He then called the fire department because he suspected something was wrong,” a fire department spokesman told “Die Welt.”

The pair had treated a patient in Rwanda who was later diagnosed with Marburg, an infectious disease that has been responsible for several deaths in recent weeks. The East African country is currently battling the first outbreak of the Marburg virus. The country's health ministry confirmed that at least nine people have died and more than 27 cases have been reported so far.

Also read: Marburg virus: Is there a risk of another pandemic? Important facts about another bat disease

What is the Marburg virus?

Marburg virus is an extremely deadly disease caused by a virus that belongs to the same family as Ebola. Spread occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, saliva and other secretions from an infected person, as well as through contact with flying foxes, which are known to transmit the virus. It is not airborne, which limits the rate of spread but makes direct exposure extremely dangerous. Symptoms of Marburg infection include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and, in some cases, cramps and bleeding. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has a mortality rate of up to 88%, making it one of the deadliest viral diseases known. The WHO states that Marburg kills on average half of the people it infects.

The history of the Marburg virus outbreaks

First identified in 1967, the virus got its name after a group of laboratory workers in the German cities of Marburg and Frankfurt became infected while handling monkeys from Uganda. There have been several outbreaks in African countries over the years, but this current outbreak in Rwanda is the first to be recorded in the East African country.

The exact origin of the virus remains unclear, but it is believed to be spread from animals to humans through contact with bats or by eating contaminated food. There is also speculation that intermediate hosts such as monkeys or pigs could be involved in transmitting the virus to humans.

Immediate measures initiated at Hamburg train station

After receiving the call, police and emergency services in full protective equipment boarded the train in Hamburg to evacuate the passengers and prevent further contamination. Two tracks were closed for several hours, disrupting service at the station, before authorities reopened them as soon as it was deemed safe.

The passengers' luggage was confiscated and both people were taken to a specialist clinic for further examination and observation. It remains unclear whether they have contracted the virus, but their arrival from a country currently struggling with an outbreak immediately raised alarm.

Local authorities have been cautious because the virus poses a significant risk to public health. Emergency responders responded quickly and strict safety protocols were enforced to limit potential exposure to the virus. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether the people tested positive for Marburg, but their case highlights growing concern about the spread of viral hemorrhagic fevers in the region.

The severity of the outbreak in Rwanda

Rwanda is facing its worst outbreak of the Marburg virus, with nine deaths and more than two dozen confirmed cases as of Wednesday. The outbreak was concentrated in several districts across the country, including the capital Kigali. Health workers are particularly at risk because they make up a significant proportion of those infected.

According to Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda's health minister, immediate medical attention is crucial for anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, vomiting and diarrhea. “Do not continue your daily activities if you have a high fever, severe headache, diarrhea or vomiting,” he urged during a press conference. He also encouraged the general public to remain calm, stating: “If you are healthy, live life as usual and do not panic.”

Despite the growing number of cases, WHO officials have praised Rwanda's response to the outbreak. The organization rated the risk of spread nationally as “very high,” but noted that the regional and global risk remains lower.

Health experts weigh in

According to an NPR report, Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the sudden increase in cases is alarming because it suggests the virus may have been circulating undetected for several weeks . “We are concerned about the number of cases that were diagnosed very quickly,” she said, explaining that the virus's 21-day incubation period means the outbreak likely began earlier than initially reported.

Additionally, McQuiston noted that the lack of previous Marburg cases in Rwanda may have contributed to a delay in diagnosis. “Knowing what is happening is the first important step in taking the right preventive measures,” she said. Rwandan authorities are already monitoring 300 people who came into contact with confirmed patients and have implemented strict handwashing protocols to curb the spread of the virus.

Also Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University, expressed concern about the actions of health authorities. He stressed the need for community health workers to visit the homes of suspected patients rather than risk further exposure by traveling to hospitals. “It would be important for community health workers to reach people's homes,” Karan said, emphasizing the importance of protective equipment in treating potential cases.

Global response and containment efforts

The outbreak in Rwanda has prompted global health authorities to act quickly, particularly due to the presence of the virus at a major transportation hub. The WHO confirmed that a person who had contact with an infected patient had already traveled to Belgium, raising fears of possible international spread.

Despite the grim outlook, infectious disease experts remain cautiously optimistic, citing Rwanda's strong health system as a key factor in containing the outbreak. Brian Chirombo, WHO representative in Rwanda, said: “We believe Rwanda has the capacity and ability to stop this outbreak very quickly.”

Although there are no specific vaccines or treatments available for Marburg, experimental vaccines are being tested. Dr. Karan suggested that the current outbreak could provide an opportunity for further vaccine development. “In Marburg it is very difficult to examine the vaccines without cases. And so in a setting like this, you might be able to deploy the vaccines and find out the effectiveness of the vaccine,” he said.

The health crisis in Hamburg underscores global concern over the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda. While health authorities in Germany and Rwanda are working quickly to contain the virus, the possibility of international spread remains a concern. Because the virus poses significant risks and no vaccines are available, rapid action and careful monitoring are critical to prevent further cases.