Suspicion of Marburg virus: Hamburg on alert!

Suspicion of Marburg virus: Hamburg on alert!

In Hamburg, a possible suspicion of infection with the dangerous Marburg virus is causing a stir. Two people who recently returned from Rwanda are on the list of cases under investigation. This comes against the backdrop of a current outbreak of the virus in Rwanda, where several deaths have already been documented.

The Marburg virus is known to cause severe, often fatal symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and bloody vomit. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), death rates in outbreaks range from 24 to 88 percent. These frightening figures highlight the need for a rapid response from health authorities.

Origin and course of the return

The two people now being treated in Hamburg had flown from Rwanda to Frankfurt that night and then traveled by train to the Hanseatic city. A medical student who suffered from flu-like symptoms contacted doctors in Hamburg during the train journey. He was concerned that he had contracted a tropical disease in Rwanda after working in a hospital where patients with Marburg virus were being treated.

After contact with the health department, both people were immediately isolated at Hamburg main station and taken to the Eppendorf University Hospital (UKE) for further examination. Isolation and immediate medical evaluation is a proactive measure to prevent possible spread. Within 24 hours, doctors usually expect a variety of diagnoses for various diseases, which also underlines the urgency of this situation.

Current situation in Rwanda

Following the return of the two individuals from Rwanda, it is worth noting that a new outbreak of Marburg fever has been recorded in that country. Rwanda's Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana reported that as of October 1, a total of 29 cases had been confirmed and 10 affected patients had died. Most of the patients currently being treated are health system employees, which particularly highlights the risk of infection. It is challenging to distinguish the symptoms of Marburg infection from other more common illnesses such as malaria or flu, which can lead medical staff to underestimate the risk of virus transmission.

In addition, the health authorities in Hamburg report that, as a precautionary measure, the contact details of travelers who may have come into contact with those affected were recorded. Despite the severity of the situation, quarantine measures were deemed necessary, giving health authorities the opportunity to monitor the situation.

Infection with the Marburg virus occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people, not through the air. The incubation period, i.e. the time from contact to the appearance of symptoms, can vary between 2 and 21 days. One of the known reservoirs for the virus is the Egyptian fruit bat, which acts as a vector.

The situation in Hamburg continues to develop and it remains to be seen how the doctors at the UKE will evaluate the results of their examinations. The current cases in the Hanseatic city are a wake-up call for the authorities to remain vigilant and prepare for possible future outbreaks of this dangerous disease.

For more information, see the current reporting on www.stern.de.

dpa