Fish Poisoning Behind Viral Deaths In Benue State – Health Minister

Fish Poisoning Behind Viral Deaths In Benue State – Health Minister

The Federal Government has cleared rumours on the viral death and unrest in some villages in Benue state Nigeria.

Federal Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire today in Abuja said the disease is not Lassa.

He said tests carried revealed it is not Lassa fever.

 He however, said that they are still carrying out further investigations to ascertain what exactly the disease is, because till this moment they do not know what it is.

Ehanire disclosed that they however, suspect that the outbreak is a result of fishermen using chemicals to kill fishes. The consumption of these fishes is suspected to have triggered the series of deaths.

He therefore, advised farmers to desist from using chemicals to fish as they are poisonous not only to the fishes, but also to anyone who consumes the fish.

The ailment, which cure and treatment are yet to be discovered by Nigeria’s health authorities, broke out as the country battles the Lassa fever scourge and coronavirus.