We’re not sure how the rumor got started, but a lot of people — mostly Nigerians, apparently — are under the impression that bathing in hot water and salt might prevent transmission of the Ebola virus:
Bathing with Salt water reduces the Risk of Getting Ebola. It is not magic.
— Uncle Chiiieee! (@UncleRajj) August 8, 2014
https://twitter.com/pumpsberry/status/497592362529722368
Boil water and salt drink small amount and bath wit it against ebola .
— mansur danmasani (@danmasani3) August 8, 2014
https://twitter.com/Mooser_EsBee/status/497580973983543296
So Momma jst woke me up to bathwith salt and warm water bcos of #Ebola #P@rixxx
— Patrick (@gankonpat) August 8, 2014
Read about the advantages of Salt Bath, apparently it reduces the risk of getting Ebola. http://t.co/hIauLmwGNW
— Uncle Chiiieee! (@UncleRajj) August 8, 2014
Just as I thought, mum will probably kill me with worry before ebola does. Woman wakes me with a call at 5am to talk abt hot water and salt
— Atom Lim (@AtomLim) August 8, 2014
People in jos getting calls to drink and bathe with salt water before daybreak to prevent Ebola.
— Shimmer (@AllyShimmer) August 8, 2014
Dear pls save ur self frm Ebola it has befallen everywhere use this method dilute salt in water and bathe with it and dnt use towel to clean
— zee dollar (@mariamabdullah6) August 8, 2014
Lmaoooo, so someone jst called me and said I shld bathe with salt b4 12 midnight else Ebola will spread
— Eloho ☺️ (@ama_brat) August 7, 2014
It’s not true, of course:
There is a rumour spreading that bathing with salt and water prevents Ebola. This is untrue. Find true information on http://t.co/wKwOoQ8JoQ
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) August 8, 2014
Bathing with salt and warm water, drinking water with salt does NOT cure #Ebola.
Facts about what helps treat Ebola http://t.co/Evrm7YlsME— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 8, 2014
Be informed, people.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated to capitalize “Ebola.”
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