The Ondo State Government has confirmed that 29 people have died following suspected alcohol poisoning in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this on Friday night in Akure while giving an update on the incident.
According to the commissioner, 60 suspected cases have so far been recorded, while three affected persons are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
Ajaka added that another 27 people remain under medical observation as health authorities intensify efforts to determine the exact cause of the deaths.
He said about 95 per cent of those affected are males between the ages of 16 and 55, with cases reported in communities including Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga.
Residents in the affected communities reportedly became ill after consuming substances suspected to be locally brewed alcoholic and herbal alcoholic drinks.
The commissioner said the symptoms recorded among affected persons include headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness.
He noted that some of the patients deteriorated rapidly after developing the symptoms.Ajaka said the pattern of illness and the reported history of exposure had raised strong epidemiological suspicion that the victims may have been exposed to a toxic alcoholic substance.
However, he stressed that laboratory confirmation was still being awaited.«“However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths,” Ajaka said.»
The commissioner disclosed that 36 blood and urine samples had been collected and sent for laboratory analysis.Samples of the suspected alcoholic substances have also been submitted for toxicological examination as part of efforts to establish what caused the deaths.
Ajaka said the investigation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies.He added that several suspects had been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Ondo bans local alcoholic drinks in affected areaIn response to the outbreak, the Ondo State Government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic herbal beverages in Odigbo Local Government Area.
The government urged residents to avoid alcoholic products obtained from unlicensed sources.Ajaka advised anyone who develops blurred vision, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.
He also urged community leaders and residents to promptly report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths to health authorities.The commissioner assured residents that the state government was working with national and international partners to identify the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.
