German Biologist Ordered to Pay After Denying Measles Virus Exists

A court ordered a German biologist to hand over 100,000 euros after he promised to pay anyone who could prove that measles was indeed a virus.

The man had made the promise in 2011 on his website, saying anyone who could offer scientific proof of the existence of the virus would receive the $106,000 reward.

Measles | Rubeola - Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Measles is a viral infection with symptoms of fever,and rashes. Measles is prevented by vaccination and staying away from the infected individuals.

He denies the existence of the virus and says he believes the illness to be psychosomatic.

A German doctor gathered various scientific publications on the subject and claimed the reward, but the biologist refuted the findings.

The court in Ravensburg in Germany's southwest ruled that the doctor had offered sufficient proof. However, the biologist has maintained his stance.

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Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.

"It is a psychosomatic illness," he told regional paper Suedkurier. "People become ill after traumatic separations."

Last month, a toddler suffering from measles died in Berlin amid the country's worst outbreak in years, rekindling a debate on vaccinations.

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West Nile virus is an infection causing agent transmitted by mosquitoes. Most of the infected people do not display any signs or symptoms.

A recent outbreak in the United States also led to controversy over some families' decisions to refuse vaccines.

The World Health Organization has called on European nations to step up vaccinations against the highly contagious virus after an outbreak of over 22,000 cases across the continent since 2014.

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Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.

Measles causes fever and rash, and in severe cases can lead to pneumonia or brain swelling, sometimes fatal. The disease is highly contagious because it is transmitted through the air.

Source-Medindia