Residents of New Nyanya, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have continued to patronise bars and local “Joints”, in spite of the Lassa fever `scare’.
When the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) correspondent visited the popular bush and goat meat pepper soup joints along the popular Abuja-Keffi road on Wednesday, customers were seen treating themselves to the ‘usual delicacies.’
Mr Oriyamen Numbe, a customer, said that he has not seen or heard of anybody who died or suffered from Lassa fever.
“We are not aware of this information about this epidemic.
“Though they said that it is in some states including Nasarawa, that does not stop me from going to beer parlour with my friends whenever we decide to drink and take pepper soup.
“I do not put that in my mind whenever I visit a beer parlour, since I have no experience of such around me, even when it has been discovered in Nasarawa State.
“If it is true, the relevant health agencies should create more awareness to avoid its spread,’’ Numbe said.
Mr Ben Timothy who confirmed that there was an information on Lassa fever said that he would not stopped patronising beer parlour and pepper soup joint, in spite of the news.
“Reports on Lassa fever will not stop me from enjoying myself and eating what I like.
“The bush meat and chicken pepper soup are well cooked as you can see for yourself so tell me what germs will survive in this hot pot of meat?
“We come here to chill and relax and forget the hardship in the country and someone is telling me that I should not eat what I can afford because e fit cause sickness, Na wa oo!,’’ Timothy said.
However, Mrs Grace Okwor, a joint operator, said that she ensures that the stalls where the pots are kept are clean.
“We buy the meat fresh from the market and all the meat are sold out daily; we do not keep leftover meat except in the refrigerator,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, the FCT authority has confirmed that there are no cases of Lassa fever in the city.
The FCT’s Director of Public Health, Dr Humphrey Okoroukwu dismissed the speculation on the reported case of Lass fever in Asokoro General Hospital and described it as “false”.
Okoroukwu explained that some samples of the suspected cases were taken to Irrua Laboratory in Edo State and the result was negative, while that of another suspected cases admitted in one of the hospitals in FCT was being awaited.
According to him, the FCTA has deployed its Health Promotion Education Team to sensitise residents in markets, motor parks, schools and streets on the causes and symptoms on Lassa fever for them to take proactive measures against the deadly disease. (NAN)
