Ebola disease

How long is the incubation period for an Ebola infection?

The incubation period is between 2 and 21 days, the mean period being 6 to 10 days.

How is Ebola diagnosed?

Diagnosis is by means of molecular genetics (PCR). Serological procedures for antigen and antibody detection as well as virus isolation using cell culture can serve as confirmatory diagnosis.

When is a suspicion of Ebola disease justified?

Only persons who entered Germany from regions with Ebola cases in the last 21 days, have at least a fever or elevated temperature with symptoms consistent with Ebola AND have a contact history with persons who contracted or died from Ebola disease, their bodily fluids or (sick) wildlife are considered to be justified suspect cases of Ebola.

Why is the patient being taken to Germany?

Germany has medical expertise in the treatment of Ebola disease as well as competency in the safe implementation of medical evacuations of infected patients according to the highest safety and isolation standards. That is why three confirmed Ebola patients were treated in Germany back in 2014 and one was treated there in 2026. Against this backdrop and in view of the shorter flight time compared to the US, the US authorities requested assistance from the Federal Government in treating a US citizen.

Germany has a nationwide network of experts for the management and care of patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. This permanent working group of competence and treatment centres for high consequence infectious diseases (STAKOB) has already provided care to infected persons in the past.

Top-class medical care is ensured in the specialised isolation wards. The specialised isolation wards are distributed geographically (Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart) such that they can be reached easily by land from any place in Germany (within a drive of no more than 4 to 5 hours).

Is there a risk to the general population if patients are being treated at Frankfurt University Hospital?

There is absolutely no risk to the general population nor to other patients at Frankfurt University Hospital. The patient is being admitted and treated in complete isolation at the specialised isolation ward. The unit is completely separate from the hospital’s regular operations, both spatially and organisationally. This means there is no contact with other patients.

The most stringent security standards apply also when dealing with potentially contaminated materials. The wastewater from the patient is collected in special tanks, treated and neutralised before being returned in a controlled manner to the wastewater system. Any waste – including used PPE – is collected separately and disposed of safely by a specialised company. Furthermore, the air is purified by two filter systems before leaving the building.

Why is a specialised isolation ward so important?

Especially in times of growing risks from pandemics, biological health hazards, hybrid threats or highly critical contamination scenarios, having such a specialised infrastructure available is a key element of modern public health security. It enables swift responses, protects patients and health workers while at the same time boosting the resilience of the entire healthcare system. Having this structure in Frankfurt is a particularly valuable asset due to its proximity to a large international airport, improving resilience and the ability to withstand crises.

How many specialised isolation wards currently exist in Germany, where are they located and how is your Ministry involved in this network?

There are seven specialised isolation wards that cooperate in the permanent working group of competence and treatment centres for high consequence infectious diseases (STAKOB).

How is the staff selected, educated and regularly trained – and how long are the intervals between training or simulations?

Staff at specialised isolation wards receive regular education and training. Training is carried out in different areas of the specialised isolation ward, usually on a monthly basis or at least once every three months.

What protective measures are particularly important for the staff?

Systematic and trained use of protective equipment while avoiding direct contact with skin is an essential protective measure.

How much previous experience has Frankfurt University Hospital had with high consequence infectious diseases?

The infection ward at Frankfurt University Hospital has previously successfully treated four patients. Of those four patients, two patients had contracted Lassa virus and two had contracted Ebola virus disease. Two patients were in critical condition.

What precautions are needed?

The patients must be kept separate in accordance with the Law on Infection Protection and treated in a suitable facility (specialised isolation ward). In the case of a justified suspicion of Ebola disease, the initial laboratory examination for Ebola virus can be carried out in a suitable biosafety level 3 laboratory (BSL-3 lab). If an Ebola virus infection is confirmed, the laboratory examination must be carried out in a biosafety level 4 laboratory (BSL-4 lab).

What would happen if an air passenger were to develop Ebola-like symptoms?

If an air passenger develops symptoms consistent with Ebola, the pilot is required by the Act Implementing the International Health Regulations (IGV-DG) to report this to the air traffic control unit; the unit then alerts the destination airport and the public health office. The competent public health office can order the aircraft to divert to an airport designated under the IGV-DG that is specially prepared to handle infectious disease threats (formerly known as “sanitary airports”). There, the patient would be isolated and interviewed by a doctor from the competent public health office. If the suspicion of Ebola infection is confirmed, the passenger would be taken to a specialised isolation ward for diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, close contacts of such patients (passengers seated next to the patient and persons directly taking care of them) would be registered by the public health office and instructed on further steps (especially self-monitoring for disease symptoms over the following 21 days).

Successful treatment of a US citizen at the Charité in May/June 2026

Because of the short flight time compared to the US, in May 2026 the US authorities requested assistance from the Federal Government in treating a US citizen who had contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The patient was taken to the Isolation Ward for Patients with High Consequence Infectious Diseases at Berlin’s Charité University Hospital.

The US authorities also issued a request for assistance for the family members (wife and four children), who had also been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and qualified as close contacts. They were brought to the specialised isolation ward of Berlin’s Charité University Hospital.

The US citizen was discharged from medical care on 6 June 2026 following the lifting of quarantine. The Charité provided regular updates on its website on the patient’s treatment progress.