Lassa Fever: Don’t drink garri with cold water – NMA Chairman

Dr. Furo Green, the Chairman of Rivers State branch of Nigerian Medical Association, NBA has advised residents of Port Harcourt to stay away from drinking garri soaked in cold water for now, because rats that carry the highly contagious Lassa fever virus also like exposed dry garri.

''Because you are not sure which garri has been infected by rats, its advisable to stay away. When you want to sip garri, you only pour cold water, add sugar and milk as the case may be. When you do that you only succeed in gulping a life virus that can cause Lassa fever. The virus is empowered easily to attack you. Rather, garri should be consumed in the traditional way prepare it well boiled hot water or pour the garri in a pot of boiling hot water and steer it,'' he said.