International Workshop on Viral Haemorrhagic Fever – Berlin, 4–6 April 2016
vhf-workshop.com was the website of the International Workshop on Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, held in Berlin from 4 to 6 April 2016. The meeting was jointly organised by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), supported by the German Federal Ministry of Health, and brought together about 150 experts from around the world. This independent archive explains what the workshop dealt with and summarises the diseases on its agenda from current public-health sources.
The workshop at a glance
| Name | International Workshop on Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (German: Internationaler Expertenworkshop zu hämorrhagischen Fiebererkrankungen) |
|---|---|
| Dates | 4–6 April 2016 |
| City | Berlin, Germany |
| Organisers | Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Support | German Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) |
| Participants | About 150 experts from around the world |
| Format | Lectures and working-group sessions |
| Focus diseases | Ebola virus disease and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) |
| Policy framework | Part of Germany's measures in the post-Ebola process |
The full account of the event, its six thematic areas and the planned CCHF report is on the page The 2016 Berlin workshop in detail.
Why the workshop happened in 2016
The workshop was built on lessons from the West African Ebola epidemic of 2014–2016, the largest Ebola outbreak on record. According to CDC, it ended with 28,652 cases and 11,325 deaths, counting suspected, probable and confirmed cases. WHO lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the West African Ebola situation on 29 March 2016 – less than a week before the experts met in Berlin.
The second focus, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, had a different problem. The ministry noted that there were no internationally recognised standards bundling current knowledge on CCHF, with gaps in prevention and therapy. One aim of the meeting was therefore to collect expert knowledge on the clinical and infection-prevention management of CCHF and to publish the results in a report.
Diseases covered on this site
Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are severe illnesses caused by viruses from several families. The ministry's announcement named Ebola, Lassa and yellow fever viruses as typical causes. The guides below cover the diseases most relevant to the workshop agenda. Start with the overview of viral haemorrhagic fevers if you are new to the topic.
- Ebola virus diseaseFilovirus; the 2014–2016 epidemic that shaped the workshop; vaccines and antibody treatments since.
- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic feverTick-borne; the most widespread tick-transmitted VHF; the workshop's second focus.
- Lassa feverRodent-borne arenavirus endemic in West Africa; often mild, sometimes severe.
- Marburg virus diseaseFilovirus related to Ebola; natural host is the Egyptian rousette bat.
- Laboratory diagnosticsRT-PCR, serology, biosafety and quality assessment for VHF testing.
- Survivors and long-term effectsAfter-effects, viral persistence and follow-up care.
- Infection prevention & community communicationProtective measures in health facilities and engagement with affected communities.
What has changed since 2016
Several gaps discussed in 2016 have since narrowed, while others remain open.
| Year | Development | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | A WHO panel meeting on guidance for the clinical management of CCHF was co-hosted by RKI and held in Berlin on 4–5 April 2017. | Follows directly on the 2016 aim of building international CCHF standards. |
| 2017 | The Second International Conference on CCHF in Thessaloniki, Greece (10–13 September) gathered nearly 100 participants from 24 countries and WHO. | Shows continued international work on CCHF epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical management. |
| 2019 | The Ebola vaccine Ervebo (rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP) was approved by the EMA and the US FDA in December 2019. | First licensed Ebola vaccine; protects against Zaire ebolavirus only. |
| 2020s | Monoclonal antibody therapies (Inmazeb and ansuvimab/Ebanga) are used for Ebola caused by Zaire ebolavirus. | Specific treatment options now exist for one Ebola species. |
| 2023–2024 | Marburg virus disease outbreaks occurred in, among others, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Rwanda. | No licensed vaccine or specific antiviral exists for Marburg. |
For CCHF, Lassa and Marburg there is still no licensed vaccine in routine use, which keeps early diagnosis and infection prevention central – the same themes that structured the 2016 workshop.
Frequently asked questions
What was vhf-workshop.com?
It was the website of the International Workshop on Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, held in Berlin from 4 to 6 April 2016 and jointly organised by the Robert Koch Institute and the World Health Organization with support from the German Federal Ministry of Health.
Who organised the 2016 VHF workshop in Berlin?
The Robert Koch Institute and the World Health Organization organised it together; the German Federal Ministry of Health supported it as part of Germany's post-Ebola measures.
How many experts attended?
According to the German Federal Ministry of Health, about 150 experts from around the world took part.
Which diseases were the focus?
Ebola virus disease and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were the two focus diseases. Viral haemorrhagic fevers in general, including Lassa and yellow fever, formed the wider context.
Is this site run by RKI or WHO?
No. This is an independent archive. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Robert Koch Institute, WHO or the German Federal Ministry of Health.
Can I register for the workshop?
No. The workshop was a one-time event that took place in April 2016. There is no registration on this site.
Sources
- German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG): Internationaler Expertenworkshop zu hämorrhagischen Fiebererkrankungen, 4 April 2016
- CDC: 2014–2016 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
- WHO: Ebola outbreak 2014–2016 – West Africa
- AUB GRADE Center: WHO guidance on clinical management of CCHF – panel meeting in Berlin (April 2017)
- CDC Stacks: Second International Conference on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (Antiviral Research, 2018)
- European Medicines Agency: First vaccine to protect against Ebola (press release)
- Cochrane review: Vaccines for preventing Ebola virus disease (PMC)