Hamburg Central Station Partially Shut Down Over Health Concerns
In an alarming turn of events, German police cordoned off two tracks at Hamburg Central Station due to fears of a possible Marburg virus infection. This precautionary measure led to the evacuation of hundreds of passengers and raised widespread concern over the potential spread of the deadly virus.
Passengers evacuated as a precaution
The federal authorities took swift action on tracks 7 and 8 after two travelers on an incoming train from Frankfurt showed symptoms resembling those of the Marburg virus, a severe hemorrhagic fever akin to Ebola. The situation unfolded when a 26-year-old German medical student and his girlfriend began experiencing flu-like symptoms on their journey aboard an ICE train from Frankfurt to Hamburg.
Fire department spokesman Christian Wolter noted that it remains uncertain whether the pair are indeed infected with the Marburg virus. The couple was transported to the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE), renowned for treating tropical diseases, where they will undergo further testing.
Their luggage was seized as a precautionary measure. “The health department has ordered the police to stop people at the main train station as part of infection protection measures,” stated Alexander Fricke, spokesman for the Hamburg-Nord district.
The student had recently arrived in Frankfurt from Rwanda, where he reportedly came into contact with a Marburg-infected patient. Federal police, clad in protective gear, cordoned off the train and conducted health checks on the passengers, who numbered approximately 200.
Authorities are now working to trace and gather information from all travelers who might have interacted with the potentially infected individuals. “We now have to find out whether they could have become infected in such a short space of time,” said Wolter.
Ongoing health crisis in Rwanda
This incident occurred amidst a severe outbreak of the Marburg virus in Rwanda, which has claimed eight lives with 27 confirmed cases, according to the Ministry of Health in Kigali. The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the risk as very high nationally and regionally for Rwanda, advising against all non-essential travel.
The operation at Hamburg Central Station concluded around 5 PM, but investigations and medical assessments continue as authorities strive to prevent any potential spread of the virus.