[Management of highly contagious, life-threatening infectious diseases in Germany]

Highly contagious, life-threatening infectious diseases are extremely rare in Germany. It was estimated that Germany experiences approximately one such patient per year, but records since the year 2000 demonstrate that this has not been the case (six cases). Even during the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Germany is not experiencing patients-apart from those referred to by international organisations. However, it is necessary to establish and maintain specialised treatment centres for patients with highly contagious, life-threatening diseases. Highly contagious, life-threatening diseases are rare and neglected diseases, yet they can have devastating effects on individual patients, societies and entire economies. A dedicated expert group was formed at the German Robert Koch Institute (STAKOB) to network and synthesise the different centres of competence and treatment. This group prepares recommendations that encompass the early detection and treatment of patients to infectious disease management to mitigate the implications on societies and interrupt the chain of infections to safeguard the integrity of public health in Germany.