Ebola is still a serious problem in West Africa. According to a January 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) report, 8,810 of the 22,092 people infected with the disease have died. While the situation appears to be slightly improving in Sierra Leone and Liberia, things are not going as well in neighboring Guinea. Many blame the persistent Ebola problem there to unsafe funeral practices. The WHO attributes 60 percent of the cases in Guinea to these rituals.
A Traditional Guinea Funeral
It is customary for Guineans to wash the bodies of the dead and even kiss them before burial. This contact is any easy way to contract Ebola. The disease is transmitted via bodily fluids such as blood, vomit and diarrhea. People often bleed right before they perish and it is not uncommon for them to throw-up and defecate as well. Ebola victims are the most infectious right after they die. Individuals who are not educated on protection methods and how to handle bodies of the deceased are putting themselves in grave danger.
Pressure to End Unsafe Ebola Burials
One of Guinea’s most prominent religious leaders, Grand Imam El Hadj Mamadou Saliou Camara, publicly stated to fellow clerics that unsafe ebola practices must stop in order to stop the spread of ebola. The clerics have been tasked with emphasizing to Guineans the need to adopt more sanitary burial methods. While the Grand Imam feels the clerics will be good messengers, he has acknowledged it will take time to persuade people to alter their ways.
The Grand Imam recently said, “There is nothing in the Koran that says you must wash, kiss or hold dead loved ones. I agree tradition is important. But everyone must find a way to respect the dead and observe burial rites without putting themselves or anyone else in danger of catching Ebola.”
A Culture of Distrust
Guineas largely distrust the authorities and aid workers, which is part of the reason there is a resistance to suggestions on how to contain the disease. Some natives believe Ebola does not exist because they have never witnessed anyone dying from it. Others claim representatives from western nations are responsible for spreading the virus in their country. Another misconception is the belief that the chlorine being sprayed (primarily by the Red Cross) to help disinfect houses, is actually making the problem worse.
Numerous family members of the deceased have complained that the people disposing of the bodies are disrespectful of the dead, which contributes to their resistance to modify funeral practices. Some people continue to hide those infected with Ebola and hold secret burials even though anyone caught doing so could be prosecuted.
Help From the U. S. Ambassador
Alex Laskaris has been U.S. Ambassador to Guinea since September of 2012. He has been a constant voice in the fight to curtail the spread of Ebola. Ambassador Laskaris has encouraged the Grand Imam and other religious leaders to be front and center in the battle, since they are the most likely candidates to garner the respect and trust of the people. He has been very vocal with clerics on the matter and visited areas were containment efforts have been met with opposition. The Ambassador also feels the means by which information is communicated to Guineans about adopting different burial practices is critical. He believes the best approach is to meet with people one on one and broadcast announcements via radio, since most Guineas do not have internet access or TV.
Ebola is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. The less educated individuals are about how it spreads the greater the likelihood they will be infected if they come in contact with the virus. Hopefully the outreach efforts by the Grand Imam, religious leaders, the U.S. Ambassador and others will convince Guineans to adopt safer burial practices.