West African Cultural Norms/Traditions That May Impact Ebola Transmission Many West African

cultures attribute illness to causes that are unrecognized by western medicine such as ancestral influence, disruption of customs and social relationships, spirit possession, witchcraft and affliction by gods Traditional African healers have been using ritual and herbal remedies to treat people for centuries…Many people trust traditional treatments and find the costs more affordable. Traditional practitioners use a wide variety of treatments ranging from "magic " to biomedical methods such as fasting and dieting, herbal therapies, bathing, massage, and surgical procedures Some cultures have a tradition of “standing by the ill ” to show respect and honor the patient There is certainly danger in some of these (cultural) practices, such as remaining close to the sick family member to nurse him/her; touching the dead at funerals; and applying traditional healers’ treatments including cutting a patient’s skin with unsterilized knives and applying blood to the skin. It is customary among many to wash, touch and kiss the deceased The sister of the deceased’s father is often responsible for bathing, cleaning, and dressing th