The New Democrat newspaper on July 15 published a banner story captioned “Ebola Cure Discovered.”

In his reaction to the publication in a statement released in Monrovia Friday, the head of the EU delegation in Liberia, Ambassador Attilio Pacifici, expressed shock that the newspaper could publish such a headline to mislead the public.

“You chose to convey to the readers a very dangerous message that there could be a cure to a terrible disease which is ravaging the sub-region and killing hundreds of people for which no cure exists,” the EU official said.

Pacifici believes such publication will mislead people to think that Ebola perhaps is not dramatic and lethal threat that the Governments of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and international partners are fighting to contain.

“Such a headline makes a very sad case in the face of ongoing local and international efforts to fight the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia and other countries,” he noted.

Continuing, the EU diplomat observed: “Recklessly contributing to create the illusion that a cure exist can expose people to deadly risk.”

The EU Ambassador was emphatic that “there is no cure for Ebola”, adding that it is irresponsible for any media to lead people to think the contrary.

He urged the media to play a positive role in educating the public about Ebola and its impact on people generally.
LINA TSS/PTK