Lassa Fever: Stop Drinking Garri, Okorocha Warns As death toll Rises

The imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has warned residents to stop drinking ‘raw garri’ as 3 persons were confirmed dead within the state as a results of Lassa fever.

The killer disease is speedily spreading across several parts of the country.

Seven cases of Lassa fever patients were also confirmed within the state.

Mr. Okorocha, who gave the confirmation in a statement sent to NEWS DESK through his Chief Press Secretary, sam Onwuemeodo, advised indigenes of the state to stop drinking raw garri (cassava flakes) furthermore as avoid crowded areas.

“This isn’t the period for individuals to drink raw garri because you recognize garri isn’t cooked and people simply pour water on garri and drink when a rat has urinated on the garri. so people are advised as much as possible to make sure that their food is properly cooked ,” the governor said.

He said the cases were recorded in some hospitals, “somewhere in Orlu and a few other parts of the state.”

The first Lassa fever case this year was confirmed in Ebonyi state more than a week ago.

Four people as well as 3 medical experts died from the infection in the state.

The disease has further spread to Kogi, Ondo and some different parts of the country leaving death tolls.

According to Mr. Okorocha, the speed at which the disease is spreading is worrisome.

“This morning we woke to hear that Lassa fever has killed 3 persons and we even have seven cases of Lassa fever patients and this number is simply too large for a state. and we are concerned regarding the speed of spread.”

“These cases were recorded in some hospitals, somewhere in Orlu and a few other parts of the state. For this reason, we kindly advise that individuals should avoid overcrowded areas, reduce the shaking of hands, and body contacts at this period,” the governor said.

“The state is on it. The Ministry of Health has been adequately informed to take all necessary steps to curtail the spread.

“We can do everything humanly attainable to make sure that this spread is curtailed. whereas the govt is taking this action, people should keep a clean and healthy surroundings at this time, avoid so many children staying in one place while government should handle the burial of those that died of Lassa fever. As you know, Lassa fever is deadly but if any discovery is made, lives are often saved,” he added.

Mr. Okorocha said all the confirmed cases have been place in isolation.

“All the known cases especially in Orlu, are isolated and we have told the doctors not to take any more on|any further|to any extent further} patients and even those within the hospital would be quarantined till such a time we’ve confirmed they’re now positive in any form or shape.”

Lassa fever is a virus infection carried by the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis), one of the foremost common mice in equatorial Africa found across much of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The disease is usually caused by contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faecal matter.