Ebola: 5 Beliefs surrounding the epidemic

Since the Ebola epidemic has appeared in Africa, the craziest rumours have circulated not only about the way the virus is transmitted, but also on the existence of miracle treatments. Deprived and badly informed, some of the local population unfortunately believe wholeheartedly in this nonsense, with sometimes disastrous consequences.

It has now been several months since the virus has brought down Western Africa. The consequences are already irreparable: 1,229 people have died, according to an assessment sent by the WHO from Geneva, recently. This represents 60% of the infected patients. Because of lack of adapted infrastructures and trained staff on the spot, more information remains extremely difficult to acquire for the local populations. As a result, panic has gained a foothold in Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Guinea. Some quacks without scruples have taken advantage of circumstances to launch delirious and heavy rumours with critical consequences on the ground.

1) A “DISEASE OF the WHITES”

Some humanitarian convoys are attacked by the inhabitants of Liberia. Those who seem to believe that this disease was invented by Americans eager to wipe out the future of Africa.

2) A DIVINE PUNISHMENT

In Liberia, some churches have gathered on August 7th of this year and decreed that Ebola was in fact a “divine punishment for immoral behaviours, such as homosexuality, that has invaded the country”. Feel reassured, there is an adequate treatment: prayers, repentance and fasting for three days. In this case, religion and science are not compatible.

3) An ANTI-EBOLA diet

An “American researcher” (who remained naturally anonymous) recommended to the population a very simple remedy: “take a crushed onion, add to it one teaspoon of condensed milk and one teaspoon of coffee powder (Nescafé)”. The recipe was shared around 25,500 times on Facebook. Lacking information, and access to the humanitarian teams, the population of Benin rushed to take up the supposed remedy. It generated an increase in sales of Nescafé and a stock shortage in Mali. The denial of the Ministry of Health of Benin has done nothing to alleviate the situation.

4) EBOLA SPREADS… BY AIR

Some people believe this virus spreads in the air. Consequently, some patients avoid hospitals and the Red Cross doesn’t succeed in treating people infected in Liberia. Let’s remind ourselves: only direct contact with organic liquids (blood, vomit, excretions and saliva) contaminates a person. Thus, if the sterilization of the equipment is optimal in hospitals, there is nothing to be afraid of.

5) EBOLA is a ZOMBIE DISEASE

In China, a funny idea entered the collective imagination… Hit by the virus, the victims would be transformed into zombies. Once again, the sick people are generally struck by an intense tiredness, so it would be difficult for them to run in the streets in search of fresh flesh. The Xinhua news agency has tried its best to contain this rumour, which has terrified people.

Read more on Ebola:

9 Things you need to know about the Ebola virus

Grégoire Provost