Fact Check

Walking Dead Actress Contracts Ebola While Filming Scene in Africa

Did actress Danai Gurira, who portrays Michonne on 'The Walking Dead,' contract Ebola?

Published Nov. 5, 2014

Claim:

Claim:   The Walking Dead actress Danai Gurira contracted Ebola while filming on location in Africa.


FALSE


Examples:   [Collected via Twitter, November 2014]


SOMEONE TELL ME IT'S JUST A RUMOR THAT MICHONNE GOT EBOLA SHE'S MY FAVORITE CHARACTER ON THE WALKING DEAD
 

Michonne from the walking dead got ebola bc they had locals in Africa play zombies and one bit her ...... I'm so done....
 


Danai Gurira who plays Michonne on the hit series 'The Walking Dead', has reportedly contracted Ebola while filming in Africa.


 

Origins:   On 3 November 2014, the website TheNewsNerd published an article titled "Walking Dead Actress Contracts Ebola While Filming Scene in Africa." According to that article, Danai Gurira (a fan favorite for her portrayal of the character Michonne) was filming a scene for AMC's The Walking Dead on location in Sudan when an "overzealous actor" cast as a zombie bit her. The site reported Gurira was subsequently infected with Ebola:



President and CEO of AMC Networks Josh Sapan stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Danai Gurira and her family as she battles this horrible disease. Much like her character on the show, Gurira is a true fighter. We will stand by her side and do everything in our power to ensure she receives the best care possible."

"Every effort is made to protect everyone involved with the production of AMC shows," he continued. "This unfortunate, isolated incident is being thoroughly investigated and we are cooperating fully with CDC personnel and healthcare officials."


The article went on to claim fellow Walking Dead actors had been "quarantined" in response to Gurira's infection (possibly affecting the show's immediate future), and the actress had been transported from Africa to Atlanta for treatment.

However, this article originated from one of a growing number of fake news sites aimed at preying on popular topics to gain social media shares. A disclaimer at the bottom of the page bears a familiar claim:



The stories posted on TheNewsNerd are for entertainment purposes only. The stories may mimic articles found in the headlines, but rest assured they are purely satirical.

Among other yarns peddled on the site are a story about an Ebola vaccine effective only on white people and a variation on the false report that Colorado legalized hard drugs after legalizing marijuana.

Last updated:   5 November 2014

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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