The Acknowledge-Correct-Reinforce Method

Dismissing a rumour without acknowledging the underlying concern damages trust and makes the rumour more powerful. Always:

1. ACKNOWLEDGE the concern — show you understand why people believe or repeat this🤔.
2. CORRECT with accurate information ✅ — calmly and factually, without blaming.
3. REINFORCE the action 🔁 — what should people do instead?

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RUMOUR 1: 'A vaccine or cure is being withheld from our community.'

1. ACKNOWLEDGE🤔: We understand why people feel this way. In other Ebola outbreaks, a vaccine was used, and people wonder why they cannot access it here.
2. CORRECT✅: The vaccine used in other Ebola outbreaks was designed for a DIFFERENT type of Ebola — called Zaire Ebola. The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a different species. That vaccine is NOT proven to protect against BVD. Scientists are working urgently to find a vaccine for BVD. If one becomes available, your community will be among the first to know.
3. REINFORCE🔁: Early care-seeking — going to the treatment centre as soon as symptoms appear — is the most effective action for survival right now. This is the honest, best advice we have.

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RUMOUR 2: 'The treatment centre is where people go to die. No one comes back.'

1. ACKNOWLEDGE🤔: We know that people have heard frightening things about treatment centres. The fear of dying alone, separated from family, is real and understandable.
2. CORRECT✅: People DO survive BVD — especially those who seek care early. Supportive care (rehydration, fever management, treatment of other infections) significantly improves survival. Families are kept informed of the patient's condition. A caregiver can accompany a young child. Care is completely free.
3. REINFORCE🔁: We invite community leaders to visit the treatment centre to see the conditions for themselves. Ask survivors to share their experience — their voices are the most powerful evidence.
   

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RUMOUR 3: 'Traditional or herbal remedies can prevent or cure BVD.'

1. ACKNOWLEDGE🤔: Traditional medicine plays an important role in our communities. We respect that.
2. CORRECT✅: For BVD, there is currently no evidence that traditional or herbal remedies prevent or treat the disease. Relying on them instead of seeking medical care significantly reduces survival chances. Using them at home also increases the risk of infecting family members through body fluid contact with the sick person.
3. REINFORCE🔁: Traditional healers can play a vital role in encouraging early care-seeking — without putting themselves at risk. We encourage healers to work WITH health teams.
   

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RUMOUR 4: 'BVD is not real — it is fabricated by the government/organisations.'

1. ACKNOWLEDGE🤔: We understand why some people are sceptical. Health emergencies have sometimes been misused politically, and trust in authorities is not always easy.
2. CORRECT✅: BVD is real and is being confirmed by laboratory tests in accredited facilities. Health workers and community members are dying from this disease. The laboratory evidence is clear.
3. REINFORCE🔁: Believing the disease is not real delays care — and that costs lives. You do not need to trust us — ask to speak to a survivor, or to a health worker who has seen patients. The evidence is real.
   

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RUMOUR 5: 'Body bag burial is not honourable — it denies our loved ones a dignified farewell.'

1. ACKNOWLEDGE🤔: Burial practices carry enormous cultural, spiritual, and emotional significance. We do not dismiss the weight of this.
2. CORRECT✅: The body of someone who died from BVD is highly infectious. Safe burial procedures are necessary to protect the family and community from further deaths. The burial team WILL work with families to observe cultural and religious needs as fully as possible.
3. REINFORCE🔁: Before the burial begins, the team will speak with the family about what matters most. Many elements of a dignified burial can still be observed. Please speak to the burial team before they begin.

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