On October 20, 2026, Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus disease in Abuja. Following laboratory confirmation, the patient remained under medical care in Nigeria before being evacuated to Switzerland on October 26. The NCDC's October 29 situation report identified 62 contacts for monitoring.
However, this is not the first time the virus has triggered a wave of dangerous misinformation. During Nigeria's 2014 Ebola outbreak, false claims circulated that drinking saltwater or bathing with it could prevent or cure the infection. Similar claims have resurfaced in public conversations surrounding the 2026 outbreak, with an NCDC social listening report identifying renewed claims that saltwater could prevent Ebola, alongside other unverified remedies.
The recurrence of these claims makes it important to clarify the facts. Saltwater does not prevent or cure Ebola, and drinking it can be life-threatening. To help you recognise genuine risks and avoid practices that offer no protection, this article breaks down the most common Ebola transmission myths.
Can a saltwater bath prevent or cure Ebola?
Bathing in saltwater does not prevent or cure Ebola. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, a viral social media message claimed that bathing in and drinking large quantities of saltwater could protect people against the disease.
This hoax led to reported deaths and hospitalisations, highlighting the fatal consequences of acting on unverified health advice.
Ingesting excessive amounts of saltwater can cause hypernatremia, an electrolyte imbalance characterised by an abnormally high concentration of sodium in the blood. Severe hypernatremia can affect brain function, causing confusion, muscle twitching, seizures, coma and, in extreme cases, death.
Is Ebola airborne?
Ebola is not transmitted through the air in the same way as common airborne infections such as measles. It primarily spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms. These fluids include blood, vomit, saliva, urine, faeces, semen, sweat and breast milk.
Ebola can enter the body through broken skin or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth following contact with infected body fluids. Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated objects, including clothing, bedding, medical equipment and used needles. Simply sharing a taxi or walking past someone in a market will not expose you to Ebola. Importantly, people infected with Ebola are not considered contagious before developing symptoms.
Does Ebola spread through mosquito bites or food consumption?
There is currently no scientific evidence that mosquito bites transmit Ebola. Unlike diseases such as malaria, Ebola is not spread through mosquito bites.
Instead, the virus is carried by wild animals, including fruit bats and non-human primates such as monkeys. Hunting, handling, butchering or preparing infected animals can expose people to the virus through contact with their blood and tissues. Thorough cooking inactivates the virus in animal products. However, handling infected animals before cooking remains a significant risk.
How Soap and Running Water Help Prevent Ebola
Ebola is an enveloped virus, meaning it has an outer fatty membrane. Soap breaks apart this fatty membrane, destroying the virus, while running water washes it away. While handwashing is essential for everyday protection, it does not replace the strict infection-control gear required to care for a sick patient.
Proper hand hygiene is an important measure for reducing transmission. For everyday protection, the following precautions are recommended:
Wash your hands regularly. Use soap and running water, particularly after using the toilet, before preparing food and after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. Where appropriate, an alcohol-based hand rub can also be used.
Avoid handling potentially contaminated materials. If you suspect that clothing, surfaces or other materials have been contaminated with the body fluids of someone who may have Ebola, do not attempt to clean or handle them yourself. Contact the NCDC or relevant public-health authorities for guidance.
Never apply household bleach to your skin or drink it. Household bleach is intended for appropriate environmental use, not as treatments for people.
A Quick Checklist for Verifying Health Information Before Sharing
Health misinformation can cause physical harm, create unnecessary panic and discourage people from seeking appropriate medical care. Before sharing a health alert, voice note or supposed cure, ask yourself these four questions:
Is it from an official source? Does the message come from a recognised health authority, such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO)? Check their official communication channels for confirmation.
Does it promote a home remedy? Be cautious of messages recommending saltwater, special drinks, herbs or traditional preparations as Ebola cures or preventive treatments. No such remedy has been established as an effective way to prevent or cure Ebola.
Does it use panic-inducing language? Messages that rely on frightening claims, sensational headlines or urgent instructions to forward information to everyone may be designed to generate fear rather than provide accurate health information.
Can you independently verify the information? Look for the same announcement or claim on official health authority websites and credible public-health communication channels. If you cannot verify the information, do not forward it as fact.
The salt water myth is a reminder that misinformation can become a public-health concern when people act on claims that have no scientific foundation.
At Oluwafemi Ebenezer Foundation (OEF), we believe everyone deserves access to information and support that protects and strengthens their communities. We believe that protecting our communities also means taking responsibility for the information we consume and the messages we share. Join us in building a healthier Nigeria by sharing this verified guide with your community.
Sources
World Health Organization (WHO). Nigeria Confirms Imported Case of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease. October 20, 2026.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Ebola Disease Situation Report. October 29, 2026.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Ebola Disease Outbreak Caused by Bundibugyo Virus – Multi-country. October 30, 2026.
World Health Organization (WHO). Ebola Disease: Questions and Answers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How Ebola Disease Spreads.
World Health Organization (WHO). Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Ebola and Marburg Diseases. May 2026.
Nigerian Ebola hoax results in two deaths, ABC7, 30 Sep 2014.
FG asks Nigerians to disregard hot water, salt cure for Ebola.
0 comment