- Villagers stopped the burial of a man who reportedly died from Ebola and forced health officials to leave the burial site
- Mourners opened the coffin and body bag, exposing and touching the deceased without any protective gear
- The incident, captured on video, sparked concern online, with many warning that ignorance of health protocols could increase the risk of further infections
An unsettling video has surfaced online showing villagers disrupting the burial of a man said to have died from Ebola.
Source: Facebook
The clip captured four men wearing white personal protective equipment, including overalls, long gloves, boots and masks.
They were carrying a purple coffin through the hills and thickets of the village on their way to bury the deceased.
However, they were stopped by a crowd of wailing and grieving villagers, presumably including family members.
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Despite the commotion, the men in protective gear carried the coffin to the burial site, but they were not allowed to proceed with the burial.
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Many of the mourners waved them away and demanded that they leave the premises, which they eventually did.
After they departed, the mourners opened the coffin, exposing the body and even touching it, seemingly unaware of the dangers associated with contact with someone who had died from the Ebola virus.
They left the coffin open for some time and even unzipped the body bag in which the deceased had been placed, allowing people to view the body.
All of this was done with bare hands and without masks or protective gear before the coffin was eventually closed for burial.
According to reports, the villagers doubted the cause of death despite government officials stating that the man had died after contracting the Ebola virus.
What is Ebola disease?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ebola disease (EVD) is a rare but severe illness in humans caused by a group of viruses and is often fatal if left untreated.
Moreover, the disease has an average fatality rate of around 50%, although early intensive supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, significantly improves survival rates.
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How can Ebola be transmitted?
The virus can be transmitted through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelopes and porcupines found ill, dead or living in rainforest environments.
Among humans, infection can occur through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola disease. The virus can also spread through contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids such as blood, faeces or vomit from an infected person.
Netizens react to video of villagers interrupting burial
The incident sparked concern online, with many warning that distrust of authorities and ignorance of health protocols could increase the risk of further infections.
Steven Okippy Koremo:
“That’s what happens when citizens don’t trust their government.”
Kiplimo Rotuuq:
“With this kind of thinking by the locals, the GoK should speed up the establishment of quarantine centres. It’s only a matter of weeks before Ebola is recorded in Kenya.”
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Karam Bharij:
“They are courting death. Bodies should be cremated. Ignorance.”
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
