Ebola Virus Conspiracy Theories Myths

Almost two years passed with unimaginable loss in history due to corona virus. Since we are on the verge of the corona virus, I would also like to go through some of the virus inorder to create more conspiracy in the past. Ebola virus created an outbreak in 1976 in the Republic of Congo, which again created the deadliest outbreak from 2014 to 2016. Even when the history of the virus seemed to calm down, conspiracy theories about them never died. As the conspiracy theorists love to create more interest in the topic, they bring new topics among public without any evidence. Let us discuss some of the debunked theories with the facts

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus is not real:

Fact: No, it is not true

This is a fake theory. Unlike corona virus, Ebola virus only affected people in certain countries. Thus the conspiracy theorists and people believed that the Ebola virus is not real and it was made by the government. Since there is always a distrust between the government and the people, many started to accept this theory. However, the Ebola virus is real which took away many lives. Ebola virus disease(EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever with symptoms of fever, sore throat, muscular pain, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. It also lowers the function of the kidney and liver. In a certain period of time it has a high risk of killing 25 to 90% of those who are infected.                                     

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus is highly contagious:

Fact: No, it is not true

When there is an outbreak of the Ebola virus, many people were isolated themselves. In many places transports were banned. Yet  it is not found to be a highly contagious disease like tuberculosis, malaria, corona, smallpox and polio. The scientists and the researchers found that it requires a lot of contact to get infected from the virus. The common modes of transmission is found to be contacting body fluids such as saliva, urine, vomit and sweat. Proper protective equipment may decrease the spread of the virus. And finally this theory is demolished.

• Conspiracy Theory– Ebola could be infected when we talk to African people:

Fact: No, it is not true

This is one of the nonsensical theories which involves racism and other political issues. This theory is debunked as talking with the infected people will not spread the virus. Unless there is a physical contact, people can easily stay away from the virus. It is not only for the African people, but for all the people who are infected.

• Conspiracy Theory – The ebola virus has 100% death rate:

Fact: No, it isn’t true

It is a fact that more than 50 to 90% of the people died in Africa at the initial stage, as there are no proper health care units and also due to the low immune system. Thus many people and the conspiracy theorists believed that it was a death sentence. Yet in many areas, the confirmed death rate seems to be lower than 25%. By the confirmation of Ebola virus survivors this theory is debunked.

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus can be transmitted from food, water and sewage:

Fact: No, it is not true

Ebola is not a waterborne disease and is not transmitted through the food. Many people are scared that eating meat related foods could increase the risk of Ebola virus. As the Ebola virus requires live pathogens to cause infection, this theory was debunked.

• Conspiracy Theory – The USA cannot deal with the Ebola virus:

Fact: No, it is not true

The United States of America surpassed all the other countries in development of healthcare and almost in all other aspects, even though it feels absurd to deal with this theory. This theory was debunked as there are well versed hospitals and the healthcare practitioners are available to treat many number of diseases.

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus was spread by NGOs and health personal:

Fact: No, it is not true

This is one of the examples that false rumours can kill people. People who are unaware that this theory is fake take extreme decisions in anger. In September 2014, 8 relief workers including two doctors were murdered in Guinea. This happened due to the gap and the mistrust between the people and the government.

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus is man made virus:

Fact: No, it is not true

The researchers found that the spread of the ebola virus may be caused when having direct contact with the infected wild animal or the fruit bat. Although it is not fully clear, it is not a man made virus. Conspiracy theorists and people around the world believed that it was created intentionally by the USA to exterminate the Africans. Though many seem to accept this theory, it was debunked due to lack of evidence.

• Conspiracy Theory – Government created the ebola virus:

Fact: No, it is not true

This is the common theory that was put forward by the conspiracy theorists when they deal with the controversial topics. As it was nothing new for the conspiracy theorists to blame the government, they made people believe that the government created the virus for the population control. This particular theory grabbed huge attention when the hip-hop artist tweeted “I don’t know … But I think this Ebola epidemic is a form of population of control. While other conspiracy theorists believed that it was created to gain profit from the virus through the pharmaceutical companies.

• Conspiracy Theory – Vaccinations are given to spread ebola:

Fact: No, it is not true

People in many countries believe that the flu shots and the immunization given to the people causes ebola. Although much research has been done to prove its an effective method for treating the disease, many people failed to believe so. Vaccinations are always targeted for creating more diseases rather than cures. According to UNICEF, the vaccinations can prevent almost 2 to 3 million people from death.                             

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola virus can be cured by home remedies:

Fact: No, it is not true

Many people believed that the ebola can be treated at home by taking raw onions. As a result many people started to take the onion, a mixture of hot chocolate, coffee, milk sugar and the things which they randomly listen to people which will cure ebola virus. However, this theory was banished as the trained health workers with proper protective equipment should be needed to treat the disease effectively and to avoid the spread of the disease.                               

• Conspiracy Theory – Body parts are taken in ebola isolation units:

Fact: No, it is not true

People believe that the healthcare workers are taking the healthy body parts for gaining profit in the organ donation. This conspiracy theory emerged as the corpses are not given to the family members to avoid the infection. This theory is debunked as it is not done and as there is no evidence to support this theory.                             

• Conspiracy Theory – Ebola treatment speeds your death:

Fact: No, it won’t

As many misconceptions evolved around the people when there is a spread of virus, many refused to get treatment. They believed that rejecting treatments may save their lives. However, it is found to be fake  because the affected level of the virus is more important to cure this disease.

Rumours are as harmful as the virus, as it may lead to death. So spreading rumours without any evidence should be taken severe measure when there is an outbreak. When controlling the virus and these kind of fake outbreak is difficult to handle, conspiracy theorists add more pressure by introducing new conspiracy theories. It is necessary for the people to believe in facts rather than fake theories.