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Prof. Stephan Becker, spokesperson for the former LOEWE Center DRUID and head of the Marburg Institute of Virology, discusses the current Ebola outbreak on "Tagesthemen"
On May 19, Prof. Dr. Stephan Becker (pictured right) – an Ebola expert and spokesperson for the former LOEWE Center DRUID (funded 2018–2024) – appeared on the news program "Tagesthemen" to provide viewers with context regarding the current Ebola outbreak. In an interview with Ingo Zamperoni (pictured left), he answered numerous questions on the subject, such as why the virus was spreading so rapidly and why affected individuals were being treated in Germany. He stated: "The virus variant currently emerging is rarer than the well-known Zaire virus, yet just as dangerous." He added: "I believe this demonstrates that Germany's healthcare facilities are truly internationally recognized; the specialized isolation units at the Charité in Berlin and in Frankfurt am Main, for instance, are known for their ability to handle Ebola patients effectively."
When Zamperoni asked, "Naturally, outbreaks of dangerous viruses evoke memories of the coronavirus pandemic, but what is different in this case?", Stephan Becker offered reassurance: "There is a vast difference between coronavirus and Ebola [...] the Ebola virus is transmitted only through close physical contact, not through the air [...]". Consequently, the risk of the virus spreading within Germany is considered low – an assessment shared by the WHO and Becker alike.
You can find the full interview (in German) on the ARD website at https://www.tagesschau.de/tagesthemen/video-1587248.html?at_medium=tagesschau&at_campaign=Mail&at_content=SiteSharing