Ebola cures are being offered from a variety of sources, and panicked consumers are buying them up. They range from ‘natural’ cures to pills and potions, and the FTC says they’re all bogus.
The disease has shown no signs of spreading widely in the U.S., but the terror of it it has spread at an alarming rate, and even more so since the death of the Ebola patient in a Texas hospital.
This fear is proving to be a boon to scam artists who are preying on it, promising they have the miracle to cure or prevent the disease. The FDA has sent warnings to some companies, calling for them to cease these claims.
The Federal Trade Commission released a statement on Thursday, sharing some information about Ebola cures and vaccines and urging consumers not to buy fake cures.
First, the FDA has not yet approved any drugs for treating or preventing Ebola. There are treatments and vaccines underway, but all are in early stages. They are not yet publicly available, and they only exist in small, experimental quantities. Currently available antibiotics are not effective against the disease.
Second, there are no known dietary supplements to combat or prevent Ebola. The supplements industry admits as much.
Third, the Centers for Disease Control provides advice on how to prevent the disease if you are visiting a region where it is common. This advice focuses on hand washing and staying away from the bodily fluids of sick individuals, dead bodies, and some animals. It does not spread through casual contact, and a U.S. outbreak is not seen as likely.
The FTC further requests that consumers who see these claims take proactive measures to prevent others from beings scammed. If you see a company making claims that their product will cure or prevent Ebola, click here to let the FTC know.
[photo credit: Tadson]