National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has reported 48 deaths and 182 others affected following the consumption of suspected locally produced alcoholic and herbal concoctions in some parts of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.
Preliminary laboratory analysis of samples collected from the affected communities detected high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure and even death when ingested.
The affected communities are predominantly in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo Town, Araromi-Obu, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo and Oniparaga. Cases have also been recorded in Irele Local Government Area.
In an update, NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the incident was first reported in early September after residents who had consumed the suspected beverages began developing severe illnesses, with some subsequently dying.
Adeyeye said initial reports recorded 31 deaths, comprising 20 in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu. Subsequent surveillance and investigations, however, raised the number of affected persons to 182 and the reported deaths to 48.
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According to the agency, 90 affected persons were admitted to health facilities and later discharged, while six remained hospitalised. Another 31 persons are said to be receiving treatment as outpatients.
NAFDAC also reported that five victims had suffered total blindness, while two others developed partial loss of vision.
Symptoms documented among those affected included headache, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients were reported to have deteriorated rapidly.
In its ongoing investigation into the incident, NAFDAC said 15 people had been arrested over the suspected production, sale and distribution of the locally prepared alcoholic and herbal beverages.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
