"Ebola Virus Reached Apollo Hospital (India)..."

Verdict : 

Possible time of origin : August 2014

Circulation platforms : Whatsapp (primary), also being shared on Facebook 

Circulation geography : India

Original Message Version Under Analysis: 

Ebola virus reached Apollo Hospital, Delhi Metro Hospital, faridabad and few cases found in Bansal Hospital, NFC. So kindly avoid to visit these Hospital for any kind of infection unfortunately!! Infected patient Sreejith-M.Tech, NIT suratkal, expired today. Please take precautions against Ebola virus and spread the awareness!!

Friends plz eat tulsi leaves to safeguard yourself from this virus Ebola becz Ebola virus directly effects the human immune system. Tulsi leaves are good for the human immune system so this is a precaution to save u from the Ebola virus... Use hot water and salt to take your bath in the morning, do the same when you want to drink water (hot and salt). ...  It is said to be a traditional vaccine for Ebola. 

Please don't keep this information to yourself send to all your contacts including your enemies. God bless you as you share this.

Analysis by Merofact Awareness Team: 

Image Description : Scanning electron micrograph with artificially imparted color on Ebola virus budding from the surface of a Vero cell (African green monkey kidney epithelial cell line). Credit: NIAID, USA
     
According to World Health Organization, the total number of probable, confirmed and suspected cases in the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa was 5335 , with 2622 deaths (between the start of 30 December 2013 i.e. start of epidemiological week 1 and end at 14 September 2014 epidemiological week 37). Countries affected are Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. 

What we found from the published news and and reports available over the web, clearly suggests that Ebola virus have not crossed the Indian shoreline yet (we'll update if we encounter any factual report). On August 9, 2014 The Hindu quoted Union Minister for Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan who clarified that India does not have any confirmed or even suspected Ebola virus affected person. A control room with Ebola helpline numbers 23063205, 23061469 and 23061302 was supposedly operational from the same day morning at the Health Ministry. When we tried to contact these numbers, some of them worked (please use 011, STD code for Delhi) and confirmed that yet there is no official reported case of Ebola infection inside India.

For about last one and half month, the message above started roaming the social media. The Times of India took attention on this Ebola scare spreading over social media in India on September 12, 2014 and dismissed the message by quoting Dr. Anupal Sibal, medical director at Apollo Hospital who denied having received any Ebola case.

So far we couldn't find any published document on the effect of Tulsi and warm water with salt against anything related to Ebola and the disease it cause. In the mean time, a report appeared on September 18, 2014 in The Times of India, suggesting certain unidentified  people claim to have knowledge of ayurveda that can cure Ebola. TOI also quoted Karnataka health minister UT Khader, saying "I was approached by some people about ayurveda having a cure for Ebola. I was more interested in a cure for malaria and dengue." The comment summarizes the present need in India. Malaria and Dengue is causing havoc in Indian subcontinent and people with proper knowledge of Ayurveda should find answer to those before indulging themselves into finding cure of remotely threatening Ebola.
Lastly, we want to share an important news for the patrons who took part in spreading the Ebola rumor message and still thinking of doing so. On August 19, 2014 Indian Express quoted concerned Karnataka health minister UT Khader saying "This is not the first time that online platforms have been used to create fear, unrest and unnecessary apprehension among the public. We have decided to investigate and take action against persons spreading such false rumors.” So, you should look up for the facts before you believe anything, that you find in social media. Not only that you should be really cautious before you decide to share the same message over social media literally owning them (i.e. taking responsibility). Any negligence on this front can really put you into big trouble out of the blue.

If you encounter any such messages please comment below or drop a mail to us by clicking on the "message in a bottle" image (Report a circulating merofact) on the right side panel of this page. We'll respond as soon as possible with an analysis on this blog.