Suspected German Marburg virus cases test negative

Two people suspected of having the deadly Marburg virus in Germany have tested negative, local authorities have said.

Police closed two tracks at Hamburg’s central station on Wednesday while emergency crews in full protective gear evacuated a train from Frankfurt after two passengers, a 26-year-old medical student and his partner, contacted doctors because they were worried that they had contracted a tropical disease in Rwanda. 

The East African country is currently experiencing an outbreak of the lethal and highly contagious Marburg virus. According to the country’s health ministry, there have been 26 confirmed cases as of Sunday, while eight people have died from the virus.

“The person, who worked in a hospital in Rwanda as part of their medical studies, tested negative for the Marburg virus using a PCR test,” a statement from Hamburg’s social affairs department read. “At no time did they have any complaints or symptoms corresponding to the disease.”

Earlier reports had suggested the pair had developed flu-like symptoms on the train. The Hamburg Fire Department had said one person had suffered from mild vomiting.  

“According to their own statements, they had two contacts in the hospital around September 25 with a patient infected with the Marburg virus, which took place with appropriate protective equipment,” the Hamburg authority said.

“The accompanying person also tested negative and has mild symptoms of another disease. The accompanying person had no contact with sick people.”

The medical student will continue to be monitored until the end of the incubation period of up to 21 days, the statement said.

“There was no danger to fellow passengers on the train or in the plane at any time.”

The Marburg virus causes fever with symptoms including convulsions, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, and has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent, according to the World Health Organization. People become infected through contact with the bodily fluids of infected victims.