The government of Imo State may ban public function and rallies for fear of spreading Lassa fever.
Governor Rochas Okorocha made this known on Wednesday just as he announced that three people had died as a result of the disease.
He warned that if the spread continued, the government would not hesitate to take the drastic action in order to save lives.
He said as a precautionary measure, citizens should maintain good hygiene and avoid body contact.
Disclosing the number of casualties in the state, the governor said three persons had died while seven others were hospitalised.
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He said the discovery was made at one of the hospitals in Orlu local government area of the state.
Said the governor: “This morning, we woke up to hear from relevant agencies that Lassa fever has killed three people while seven others are hospitalised.
“This number is too large for a state and we are very concerned over the speed of the disease in Orlu and other parts of the state.
“You are aware that the major cause of this disease is a particular kind of rat and we must take adequate measures to stop rats from having direct contact with consumable goods.
“The state Ministry of Health has been properly informed and directed to do everything possible to manage the situation,” he said.
It would be recalled that there has been an outbreak of the disease in the country with deaths recorded in some states.
A 30 years old doctor from Kogi State, Idowu Ahmed, died on Sunday as a result of the disease.
In Ebonyi, two resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, FETHA, Ebonyi State, also died of Lassa fever.
Some other states have recorded casualties too.
