A lethal virus with no cure is feared to be spreading through Europe after railway passengers in Germany began to show symptoms.
The Marburg virus kills up to 88% of people who contract the disease, causing victims to develop a haemorrhagic fever and even bleed from their eyes before their death.
Officers cordoned off Hamburg Central Station for several hours yesterday, sending commuters scrambling for safety.
Two travellers, a medical student and his girlfriend, were on the ICE high-speed train which had arrived from Frankfurt when they started to show symptoms.
The student, 26, had previously arrived by plane from Rwanda where at least people have died from an outbreak.
He had also been in contact with an infected patient.
UK health chiefs have demanded businesses monitor employees who are sent to visit Rwanda.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the outbreak in the African nation is of ‘great concern’.
What are the symptoms?
Marburg virus starts like a harmless flu, with a fever, headache and muscle pains.
Within days, those infected suffer from excessive bleeding – including from the eyes- a rash, extreme lethargy and blood-stained vomit and diarrhoea.
During the journey it is reported the travellers both developed flu-like symptoms.
But it remains unclear whether the pair have indeed been infected with the Marburg virus, fire department spokesperson Christian Wolte said.
How is it spread?
Marburg can spread from human-to-human through bodily fluids and contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing.
As of now, the majority of victims have been health workers in the intensive care unit.
It is thought the virus results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by infected bats.
In 1967 two large outbreaks occurred in Germany and Serbia and were found to have originated from laboratory work using African green monkeys from Uganda.
Is there a cure?
There are no specific treatments or a vaccine, but a range of blood products, drug and immune therapies are being developed, according to WHO.
Days after Rwanda announced an outbreak of the Marburg virus, authorities have introduced a set of measures on gatherings to control the spread.
The country’s health minister Sabin Nsanzimana said last week: ‘We are counting 20 people who are infected, and six who have already passed away due to this virus.
‘The large majority of cases and deaths are among healthcare workers, mainly in the intensive care unit.’
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