‘Ebola Fear’ Sparks Fake Cures

There is another Ebloa virus treatment besides ZMapp?

American news media NYT reported on Aug. 15 that bogus treatments for Ebola are emerging to make easy money by utilizing the fear for lethal virus outbreak in West Africa.

Nigeria’s Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said in an interview with a local media on Aug. 14, “Eight Ebola-infected patients will receive ‘NanoSilver,’ an experimental Ebola virus cure.” However, NanoSilver turned out to be a mere food supplement containing microscopic silver particles, which has been sold with chocolates and hempseed oil. It is not tested by regulatory agencies.

Against this backdrop, WHO and FDA issue warnings against fraudulent Ebola virus treatments and vaccines. FDA made it clear, “Since the outbreak, many fake treatments and vaccines are reported. But there never has been any case approved by FDA.”

While Ebola virus is rapidly spreading, unverified treatments are also on the rise in the West African region. There has been a rumor in Nigeria that drinking salt water or bathing in salt water can prevent Ebola virus infection. It increased sales of ‘holy Ebola treatment salt.’ According to WHO, two Nigerians died of excessive drinking of salt water.

The head of Doctors Without Borders Joanne Liu said on Aug. 15, “I really had the feeling that it is a wartime." She added that the rapid outbreaks can be contained after 6 months or so.