Medical experts say while some traditional remedies may have medicinal value when properly researched, many popular outbreak "cures" are not only ineffective but can worsen illness, delay lifesaving treatment and, in some cases, prove fatal.
Across Nigeria and other parts of the world, disease outbreaks have consistently been accompanied by rumours, myths and miracle cures spread through word of mouth and, more recently, social media platforms.
Health professionals argue that understanding why people turn to such remedies is essential to combating health misinformation and improving public confidence during emergencies.
Salt water and the Ebola panic
One of the most memorable examples occurred during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
After Nigeria confirmed Ebola cases, messages circulated widely through text messages and social media claiming that drinking and bathing with large quantities of salt water could prevent infection.
The rumour spread rapidly across the country, prompting thousands of Nigerians to consume excessive amounts of salt overnight.
The consequences were severe. Hospitals reportedly treated numerous people for complications linked to excessive salt consumption, while several deaths were associated with the dangerous practice.
Medical experts have consistently maintained that there has never been any scientific evidence showing that salt water can prevent or cure Ebola.
Ebola is caused by a virus transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can only be controlled through strict infection prevention measures, early diagnosis, isolation and supportive medical care.
Public health specialists continue to cite the saltwater episode as one of Nigeria's clearest examples of how misinformation can fuel a secondary public health crisis during outbreaks.
Cow dung, horse urine and other global myths
Nigeria is far from the only country where unusual remedies have emerged during disease outbreaks.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities across several countries battled widespread misinformation promoting herbal concoctions, chemicals and even animal waste as preventive or curative treatments.
In parts of India, some groups advocated the use of cow dung and cow urine as remedies against COVID-19 despite repeated warnings from health authorities that no scientific evidence supported the claims.
Similarly, horse urine has been promoted in some communities around the world as a treatment for viral infections and other illnesses, even though medical research offers no evidence of its effectiveness.
Health experts warn that animal waste products may contain dangerous bacteria, parasites and other pathogens capable of causing severe infections.
Other unconventional remedies promoted over the years have included drinking bleach, ingesting industrial disinfectants, consuming excessive quantities of garlic, taking dangerously high doses of vitamins and drinking kerosene mixtures to treat symptoms ranging from coughs to infectious diseases.
In parts of Africa, unverified herbal mixtures have also been marketed as cures for HIV/AIDS despite the complete absence of scientific proof.
Researchers say these practices often become popular when diseases are poorly understood, effective treatments are unavailable or public trust in conventional healthcare is low.
Strange remedies beyond outbreaks
Health experts say misinformation extends well beyond emerging diseases.
Pile (Haemorrhoids)
Many sufferers attempt self-treatment before seeking professional medical care.
Common practices include drinking highly concentrated herbal mixtures, inserting herbs, oils or chemicals into the anus, applying kerosene or mentholated ointments directly to affected areas, consuming large quantities of aloe vera preparations and relying on unqualified traditional healers who promise permanent cures.
Doctors warn that such practices may cause burns, bleeding, infections and worsening symptoms.
Malaria
Despite the availability of effective anti-malaria medications, many people continue to rely on home remedies.
These include drinking mixtures of gin and bitter herbs, consuming excessive amounts of garlic, ginger or lemon, taking unregulated herbal preparations, relying solely on "agbo" without laboratory diagnosis and repeatedly self-medicating without proper testing.
While some herbs may provide temporary relief, doctors stress they cannot replace confirmed diagnosis and effective antimalarial treatment.
HIV/AIDS
For decades, HIV has remained surrounded by misinformation and false cures.
Various herbal products have been advertised as complete cures, while some individuals have promoted spiritual healing sessions, prolonged fasting, animal-based products and expensive supplements as alternatives to antiretroviral therapy.
Medical experts emphasise that no herbal product has been scientifically proven to cure HIV, while discontinuing prescribed medication can result in treatment failure and disease progression.
Stroke
Stroke patients and their families are often vulnerable to false promises of quick recovery.
Among the commonly reported practices are drinking herbal mixtures believed to dissolve blood clots, massaging affected limbs with hot oils and chemicals, consuming alcohol-based herbal mixtures, delaying hospital treatment while seeking spiritual intervention and using animal products believed to restore movement.
Neurologists stress that stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospital care, as delays can lead to permanent disability or death.
Why misinformation spreads
Behavioural scientists say fear remains one of the strongest drivers of health misinformation.
During outbreaks of unfamiliar diseases, people naturally search for immediate solutions that provide hope and a sense of control.
Social media has significantly amplified this tendency, allowing false information to spread within minutes across communities.
Experts say messages forwarded by trusted friends and relatives often appear more convincing than official statements issued by government agencies or health institutions.
Cultural beliefs also contribute to the popularity of traditional remedies.
Because many communities have successfully used traditional medicine for common ailments over generations, some people assume similar remedies will work against newly emerging diseases.
Another major factor is distrust in public institutions.
Where confidence in government and healthcare systems is weak, rumours and conspiracy theories often flourish.
Public health experts say combating misinformation requires more than simply debunking false claims—it also requires building trust, engaging local communities and ensuring timely access to reliable health information.
The medical consequences
Doctors warn that the greatest danger posed by unproven remedies is often delayed treatment.
Patients who rely on ineffective cures frequently postpone seeking professional medical care until their illness has progressed significantly.
For many infectious diseases, early diagnosis and treatment dramatically improve survival rates.
Medical experts note that excessive salt intake may cause dehydration, dangerously high blood pressure, kidney damage and neurological complications.
Similarly, consuming animal waste products exposes individuals to bacterial infections, parasitic diseases and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Ingesting chemicals such as bleach or disinfectants can result in severe poisoning, organ failure and death.
Healthcare professionals also caution that some herbal mixtures may interact dangerously with prescription medications or contain undisclosed ingredients capable of causing additional health complications.
Infectious disease specialists further warn that belief in false cures can weaken public health responses by creating a false sense of security.
Individuals convinced they are protected may ignore proven preventive measures such as vaccination, hand hygiene, mask use during outbreaks and prompt medical consultation.
The World Health Organization has previously described the overwhelming spread of false information during disease outbreaks as an "infodemic," warning that misinformation can significantly hamper outbreak response efforts.
Researchers advocate stronger public health education, collaboration with community leaders and closer monitoring of false medical claims circulating online.
They argue that understanding the fears driving misinformation is just as important as correcting false information itself.
As new diseases continue to emerge, health experts say the lessons from Ebola, COVID-19 and previous outbreaks remain highly relevant.
History repeatedly shows that fear often fuels miracle cures, but science consistently demonstrates that effective disease control depends on evidence-based medicine rather than rumours or myths.
Experts weigh in
Speaking with Weekend Trust, a senior doctor at Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja, who requested anonymity, warned that misinformation can become almost as dangerous as the disease itself.
The doctor said "misinformation during outbreaks could be as dangerous as the disease itself because it drives behaviours that increase risk and discourage people from seeking appropriate care."
The physician stressed that trust, accurate information and community engagement remain critical to successful outbreak response, noting that rumours can seriously undermine disease control efforts.
Another physician, Chukwudi Ifeanyi, observed that "false information spreads faster and more easily than viruses," stressing that access to accurate health information is an essential component of disease prevention.
He added that public confidence in scientific evidence remains vital during health emergencies because misinformation weakens response strategies across communities.
Dr Hammed Alausa also cautioned against relying on unverified remedies.
According to him, "there’s no substitute for evidence-based medicine," warning that unproven treatments may offer false reassurance while exposing individuals to additional health risks.
For public health advocates, the message remains straightforward: when illness strikes, the safest remedy is not the one that spreads fastest through rumours or social media, but the one supported by credible scientific evidence.