Despite the fact that it is gripped by the worst outbreak of Ebola in recorded history, many residents in Sierra Leone remain skeptical that the disease actually exists.

To date, over 1,700 people have fallen ill with the deadly virus. The World Health Organization reports that the death toll has risen to 932. Sierra Leone is one of the hardest hit areas affected by the virus, representing nearly one third of all the deaths.

Yet many citizens find it difficult to believe that the virus even exists. Efforts are being taken to inform the general public about the many dangers, but they do not seem effective enough to convince a portion of the locals of the threat.

A lot of fear surrounds the topic for residents of the country. A lack of public knowledge on the virus seems to be creating confusion whenever an illness is reported. Residents say that every time a person gets ill it is assumed to be Ebola, regardless of what the actual sickness is. Some people are afraid to report any ailments that surface for fear that it will turn out to be an Ebola infection. One mother claimed that before being educated on the virus, she would not have taken her child to the hospital out of fear of the diagnosis.

Ebola is deadly, but can be survived if the proper treatment is received as soon as symptoms present themselves.

Last month, a woman was brought to the hospital for symptoms of the disease but removed from the facility by her family before test results could confirm the presence of Ebola. By the time she was located it was too late. She died in the ambulance on her way back to the hospital.

Government officials in are doing what they can to combat the misinformation and skepticism among the public. Vehicles with loudspeakers drive the streets making announcements about the virus. Similar announcements are being broadcast over the radio and posters have been distributed that state things like, “Ebola is real, Ebola is here, and Ebola kills.”

In addition, areas that have confirmed infections in them are being quarantined to prevent further spreading.