Communication and social mobilisation strategies to raise awareness about Ebola virus
disease and the risk factors for its transmission are central elements in the response
to the current Ebola outbreak in west Africa.1 A principle underpinning these efforts
is to change risky “behaviour” related to “traditional” practices and “misinformation”.
Populations at risk of contracting Ebola virus disease have been exhorted to “put
aside, tradition, culture and whatever family rites they have and do the right thing”.