Social Unrest In Liberia, Guinea, As Quarantines, Rumors Stir Controversy Amid Ebola Outbreak

News outlets report on social unrest in Liberia and Guinea, as quarantines are implemented and rumors spread about the Ebola virus outbreak.

New York Times: As Ebola Grips Liberia’s Capital, a Quarantine Sows Social Chaos
“…Isolating communities has succeeded in some rural areas in past [Ebola] outbreaks in Central Africa. But the quarantine of an entire urban neighborhood, where 60,000 to 120,000 people are crammed into crumbling shacks, has proved to be more than just porous. It has also led to deadly clashes with soldiers and may even be helping spread the disease, experts say, forcing people to crowd together for basic humanitarian aid, like food relief…” (Onishi, 8/28).

Reuters: Guinean security forces break up riot in Ebola-racked south
“Riots broke out in Guinea’s second-largest city Nzerekore over rumors that health workers had infected people with the deadly Ebola virus, a Red Cross official and residents said on Friday…” (Samb/Farge, 8/29).

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