Answer:
One practice that contributed to the early spread of diseases such as Ebola among those who have lost a family member in West Africa is the tradition of washing and touching the body of the deceased during funerals. In many cultures in West Africa, it is customary to wash and dress the body of the deceased as a sign of respect and to say goodbye. However, during the Ebola outbreak, this practice helped to spread the disease, as the virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids, including sweat, blood, and saliva.
Unfortunately, many people were not aware of this fact and continued to perform these rituals, even after the outbreak had begun. This made it difficult for health workers to contain the disease, as it spread quickly from person to person. It's a tragic reminder of the importance of following public health guidelines during an outbreak, even if it means changing longstanding cultural practices.