Owing to the spread of the Lassa fever, which has claimed over 63 lives across the country in the past six months, Nigerians have been advised to avoid drinking garri.
Rather than drink garri, Nigerians have been advised to opt for the garri made with hot water- which is known as ‘Eba’.
According to the Chairman of Rivers state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Furo Green- the consumption of garri could make one exposed to the disease as rats which carry the highly contagious virus often come in contact with garri.
“It’s advisable to stay away from garri because you are not sure which garri has been infected by rats. 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 in well boiled hot water or pour the garri in a pot of boiling hot water and steer it.
“When you buy foodstuff like garri, pour it into a container that is covered to avoid the garri being contaminated by infected rats,” he said
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