I’m Worried At The Speed Lassa Fever Spreads In Imo – Gov Okorocha
By Austin Echefu
Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed worry at the speed at which lassa fever is spreading in Imo State, confirming that the dreaded lassa fever has finally hit Imo State, causing panic among the people and taking three lives while seven others are hopsitlised.
Loading ...Speaking to Government House Correspondents in Owerri, Governor Okorocha disclosed that lassa fever has killed three already. He also assured that his government has taken measures to control the situation.
“This morning (Wednesday) we woke up to hear that lassa fever has killed three persons and we also have seven cases of lassa fever patients and this number is too large for a state. And we are concerned about the speed of spread. These cases were recorded in some hospitals, somewhere in Orlu and some other parts of the state. For this reason, we kindly advise that people should avoid crowded areas, lessen the shaking of hands and body contacts at this period”, Governor Okorocha said.
He also assured that his government would do everything possible to bring the situation under control, saying that nobody should worry.
“You are aware that lassa fever is caused by some species of rats that eat some food and people come to eat it. The state is on it. The Ministry of Health has been adequately informed to take all necessary steps to curtail the spread. But all this number has risen this morning and we will like to advise that people should avoid as much as possible some foods and body contacts especially in schools and market places.
“We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that this spread is curtailed. While government is taking this action, people should keep a clean and healthy environment 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, life can be saved.
“It is not something to worry about. We have always had cases of lassa fever especially during the period of extreme heat. We advise that people should report cases of fever of any sort to the nearby hospital, and doctors by this development have been advised on what to do when such cases are reported.
“To all Imolites, this is to inform you that lassa fever is in Imo State and it is confirmed and we have lost lives as a result and more cases are springing up. So this is a period that everybody must be conscious of body contacts with people and over crowded areas.
“We will watch the development closely and we hope this will be the last of it. But if we have more cases, which we don’t hope to have, we might be forced to take some actions to stop all events of crowded places just to save lives. This is not the period for people to drink raw garri because you know garri is not cooked and people just pour water on garri and drink it, when rat has urinated on the garri. So people are advised to ensure that their foods are well cooked”.
