Video Of The Week - African Singers Use Music To Raise Ebola Awareness

Though the initial panic caused by Ebola appears to have subsided, the disease is still alive and well in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. As of December 3rd, the dreadful ailment has infected 15,000 people and claimed 6,202 lives. The frustrating part for experts is that most of these deaths could have been avoided had the locals been aware of the necessary precautions.

In order to educate them, some of Africa's best-known musicians have come together with a song that outlines what the people can do to protect themselves. Entitled "Africa Stop Ebola", the catchy melody was written by the singers and Carlos Chirinos, a researcher who specializes in the intersections of music, communications and human development. Recorded in French, the commonly spoken language in West Africa, as well as a number of indigenous languages, it conveys the importance of trusting doctors, not touching people that are infected or have died from Ebola, and practicing proper sanitation and hygiene routines.

Chirinos hopes the song will help rebuild people's trust in their respective country's health services as well as dispel the myth that the disease can be cured by local healers. In addition to educating them, the song is also meant to reassure the listeners and given them hope that Ebola can be overcome.

Resources: theguardian.com. BBC.co.uk