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Fact or Myth?

1. Once you’ve got Ebola you’re definitely going to die.

MYTH

Ebola is certainly very dangerous but it does not necessarily mean people die. People who

are poor are more likely to suffer because they are not healthy enough to fight the

disease and do not have access to hospitals and doctors like we do.

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Fact or Myth?

2. Ebola is much more contagious than diseases like measles.

MYTH

One person with Ebola currently gives the disease to two other people. The disease could be passed to less people but often they don’t know the ways to avoid getting the disease.

Measles is very contagious and one person can infect 16 to 18 people.

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Fact or Myth?

3. In areas affected by Ebola, washing your hands with soap and water

regularly can help stop the spread.

FACT

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Fact or Myth?

4. Ebola is spread just by touching someone with the disease.

MYTH

It’s not as simple as that. You can only catch the disease through contact with bodily fluids like

blood, saliva or urine.

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Fact or Myth?

5. People in West Africa are more vulnerable to Ebola than people in the

UK.

FACT

The number of people with Ebola currently dying in West Africa is 7 in 10, but that’s because of poverty, poor health services

and few doctors.

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Fact or Myth?

6. Letters sent from West Africa to the UK could carry Ebola.

MYTH

No they won’t. Ebola has been described as a "wimpy" virus. It doesn't live long

enough outside the body to be a threat.

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Fact or Myth?

7. Ebola has killed more than 4,000 people across West Africa, with

thousands more affected.

FACT

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Fact or Myth?

8. Ebola is everywhere!MYTH

Only a small area of West Africa is affected. There have only been a handful

of cases in Europe and America.

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Fact or Myth?

10. Everyone in the UK could die from Ebola.

MYTH

There is no danger of this happening. We have some of the best doctors and

hospitals in the world and they prepare for emergencies like this.

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Fact or Myth?

Drug companies are also working hard to find a vaccine. It’s early days but some trials of drugs have been successful.

At the moment the best cure for Ebola is preventing it from spreading in West

Africa. People need to know the facts - simple things like washing hands with

soap and water can avoid spreading the disease.

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People living in poverty are more likely to be affected by the disease as they do not have access to treatment or information. Hospitals are not well equipped, and in

Liberia and Sierra Leone there are thousands of patients per doctor.

Fact or Myth?

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Ebola prevention / Activity sheet / Action Cards

Regularly clean and disinfect the home

Why?

Wash hands

Why?

Wear appropriate, protective clothing when looking after the sick

Why?

Limit contact with the sick and dead

Why?

Seek help immediately if showing the symptoms of Ebola

Why?

Think of your own prevention

Why?

Think of your own prevention

Why?

Discuss and share preventative measures within communities

Why?

Think of your own prevention

Why?

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What could you do to help fight Ebola?

ActionAid schools | October 2014 | 16ActionAid Schools l October 2014

Thank youwww.actionaid.org.uk/schools