Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) stated that he would be willing to accept further US patients infected with the Ebola virus. This comes as the United States had previously stated that it would not allow any individuals infected with Ebola to enter the country. The SPD politician told the news portal Politico that “we should not reject American patients in need”. He warned that if the US truly refused to admit its own infected citizens for care, it would be a mistake that could lead to others seeking treatment later while unvaccinated.
The commitment by the US government was clarified recently by State Secretary Marco Rubio, who declared on Wednesday, “We cannot and will not allow Ebola cases to enter the United States”. Rubio emphasized that this policy was intended “to protect the American people”.
Currently, a US doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being treated at the Charité hospital in Berlin. His wife and four children are also isolated and receiving care at the facility.
The German government’s response was reiterated by Deputy Government Spokesman Steffen Meyer, who confirmed that the US government had requested assistance from Berlin in admitting the US citizen. Meyer informed Politico, “We granted this request. Firstly, Germany possesses expertise in treating Ebola patients, and secondly, the flight time to Germany is significantly shorter, which allowed treatment to begin much faster here”.
