I find this tweet really upsetting. I grew up in South Africa- moved there in 1976. Around that time an Australian died of Marburg in Johannesburg as a result of zoonotic infection in Zimbabwe. There was fear of this disease when I was growing up. 1/
I find this tweet really upsetting. I grew up in South Africa- moved there in 1976. Around that time an Australian died of Marburg in Johannesburg as a result of zoonotic infection in Zimbabwe. There was fear of this disease when I was growing up. 1/
Yes, in 1967 monkeys with the virus were shipped via London to Germany for vaccine testing, and infected some researchers in Frankfurt & Marburg who were not properly protected. This had nothing to do with SARS-CoV-2 lab leak theories which relate to gain-of-function research. 2/
Putting Marburg forward as an example of "lab leak" in the current context of intense debate over the origins of #covid19 is highly irresponsible. Yes, animal research carries risks.. all animal research does.. and one can debate its ethics. Is it ok to work with mice? 3/
@lpachter Irresponsible? Simply because it doesn't support your pet narrative. Shame on you for deciding what ought to be censored.
@PrometheusCHT I don’t have a narrative. Check my history. Zero. None. But Marburg has nothing to do with this debate.