As the deadly Ebola virus spreads
across other countries, strange theories
how the virus came into being keeps
buzzing.
The latest theory from a British
engineer is that the virus is alien, and
did not originate on Earth.
Ashley Dale, who is pursuing
an engineering Phd in Bristol
University, claimed that there is a
possibility that the deadly bug landed
on Earth from space, the Daily Star
UK has reported.
"There is always a chance the Ebola
virus could have come from outside
this planet, at some point during the
evolutionary process, " Dale told the
newspaper.
"We have meteorites from Mars landing
on our planet every year, and we know
bacteria can survive the journey. There
is every chance Ebola arrived on this
planet from somewhere in space," he
added.
"Virus particles can also make it
through space undamaged, so there is
definitely a possibility something could
have arrived back in the evolution of
the planet that we are seeing now."
Dale told the newspaper that there is
every possibility that the virus survived
the planet's evolution, which is why it's
making its presence feel now.
According to a World Health
Organization (WHO) report, the Ebola
epidemic has already claimed nearly
1,000 lives in Africa while the tropical
disease continues to spread Liberia,
Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Nigeria and Benin governments have
also confirmed there are cases of Ebola
in those countries.
Meanwhile, Nigerians are falling victim
to a rumour which says that Ebola can
be cured by bathing in "hot water and
salt".
Around 20 Nigerians have also been
hospitalised from eating salt and bitter
kola to prevent infection. Despite the
Nigerian government issuing warnings
that the treatment isn't effective, the
rumor is being spread by text message
and social media.

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