Residents of Mararaba and New Nyanya suburbs in Nasarawa State have called on the federal government and relevant authorities to create adequate awareness for citizens on the dangers of bush meat consumption.

There has been a recent deadly Lassa fever outbreak across some parts of the country, with relevant authorities issuing health advisories.

Some residents of New Nyanya expressed worry over the continuous patronage of bush meat in bars and local eateries, popularly known as “Joints”, despite warnings of Lassa fever outbreak.

According to them, many people are unaware of the epidemic and are ignorant of the dangers, noting that a sensitisation programme will go a long way in enlightening Nigerians on the disease.

One of the residents, Ben Chibuike, a businessman, said that creating awareness about Lassa fever would help reduce cases because the country had recorded many fatalities.

Mr Chibuike said many people were unaware of the dangers associated with eating bush meat, mainly rats, the main channel of transmitting Lassa fever infection, because of inadequate information.

“Relevant health agencies should create more awareness to avoid any further spread of the disease, even when it has spread in some states, including Nasarawa,” Mr Chibuike said.

Victoria Simeon, a housewife, said she was unaware of the disease because no such case had been reported in her area.

Chioma Eze, a healthcare giver, however, said reports of the Lassa fever outbreak had been widely spread across many media outlets such as television, radio, and others, but some Nigerians would not take precautions.

Ms Eze noted that some tribes could not do without eating bush meat, even ‘house rats,’ noting that this contributed largely to the disease.

“Hygiene is the paramount thing in this case; Nigerians should try to keep their homes and environments neat to avoid rats because dirty environments attract rats,” she said.

Abel Oni, a customer at one of the bush meat joints, said he would not deny that Lassa fever was real, but such would not stop him from patronising bush bars.

“Lassa Fever cannot stop me from visiting beer parlours, especially when it has become my place of relaxation,” he said.

However, John Garba, a beer parlour operator, said that Lassa fever could spread if adequate hygiene measures were not considered when preparing the bush meat.

Mr Garba said that those running such businesses should not be ignorant of the disease but maintain good food standards and a hygienic environment.

“Preparing bush meat pepper soup has to be done properly to avoid any transmission of infection from the animals,” Mr Garba said.

A correspondent who visited some ‘joints,’ especially those selling roasted bush meats and pepper soup along Abuja-Keffi road, customers were seen eating their usual delicacies without any fears or reservations.

(NAN)