Palpable fear is rife in Jos over rumours that the deadly ebola virus has hit the town. The exact source of the rumour is still unknown, but ViewPointNigeria’s investigation reveals that cautionary text messages were being circulated by friends and family warning people of the virus and suggesting some scientifically unproven methods as possible cures.

The text messages read “There is this rumour making round that ebola virus is in Jos so one is expected to bath with salt water before 5AM. Pls send to others”. The development has sent panicking and anxiety in Platerau residents. Parents, relatives, friends and loved ones started making calls as early as 2AM to alert themselves of the ebola crisis in Jos.

Palpable fear is rife in Jos over rumours that the deadly ebola virus has hit the town. The exact source of the rumour is still unknown, but ViewPointNigeria’s investigation reveals that cautionary text messages were being circulated by friends and family warning people of the virus and suggesting some scientifically unproven methods as possible cures.

The text messages read “There is this rumour making round that ebola virus is in Jos so one is expected to bath with salt water before 5AM. Pls send to others”. The development has sent panic and anxiety in Plateau residents. Parents, relatives, friends and loved ones started making calls as early as 2AM to alert themselves of the ebola crisis in Jos.

Efforts to reach the Plateau state commissioner for Health Dr. Fom Dakwak for confirmation by ViewPointNigeria correspondent proved abortive. It will be recalled that Ebola, a Liberian-based deadly virus hit Nigeria in the last two weeks when a Liberian Mr. Patrick Sawyer boarded a flight to Lagos. The nurse that treated him was said to have died after contracting the disease as announced by Nigeria’s Health minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

ViewPointNigeria’s health consultant advised that bathing with salt water or using bitter Kola have not been scientifically unproven as cures, methods or antidotes for the Ebola Virus, the simple remedy is to avoid general contact with people’s bodily fluids. He advised against causing panic in the publicshere, saying that these types of text messages can lead to people taking drastic measures and possible abuse of vulnerable people.

At the time of filing this report, there was no confirmation of any cases or incidents in Jos. ViewPointNigeria shall attempt to get through to the commissioner of health for further confirmation.

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Rumour being circulated in Jos-Plateau about incidents of the deadly cases of the Ebola Virus