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 Giantmicrobes Inc., which makes a line of plush toys based on
viruses and other microscopic organisms, has sold out its entire
Ebola stock, including the small Ebola doll for $9.95, a Gigantic
Ebola doll for $29.95 and an Ebola Petri Dish toy for $14.95,
according to the company's website.
"Since its discovery in 1976, Ebola has become the T. Rex of
microbes," says the Stamford, Connecticut-based maker of the
"uniquely contagious toy" on its website, which promotes them as gag
gifts that also have educational value.
With the latest Ebola outbreak, which already killed more than 4,500
people, mostly in West Africa, customers have snapped up the toy,
which looks like half a pretzel.
 "You do not want to get Ebola," warns the website. "A short
incubation period of 2 to 21 days presages symptoms which include
fever, aches, sore throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea,
stomach pain, vomiting, and both internal and external bleeding. And
then, for between 50-90 percent of victims, death."
Giantmicrobes lists the World Health Organization as one of its
largest customers, along with pharmaceutical companies and the
American Red Cross.
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Anyone disappointed by the current shortage of the Ebola toys can
click on "Add to Wishlist" and wait for more stock to arrive. Or
make a different selection from the company's array of other plush
toys, including Anthrax, Botulism, Cholera and Dengue Fever.
It was not clear how many of the toys have been sold and the company
could not be reached for comment.
(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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