The death toll from a suspected toxic alcoholic beverage outbreak in Ondo State has risen to 49, with about 170 people now affected as the health crisis spreads to Irele Local Government Area.
Eight of the latest deaths were recorded in Irele, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, who gave the update in Akure.
Ajaka said health authorities had intensified surveillance, case management and contact tracing while medical teams had been deployed to affected communities to identify cases, provide treatment and trace the source of the suspected poisonous substance.
“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue now, our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as at yesterday’s night,” the commissioner said.
He added that the total number of affected people, including those receiving treatment and those who had died, had risen to about 170.
The development marks a significant escalation of an outbreak that was initially reported in communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu.
Ajaka had earlier reported 29 deaths and 121 affected persons in connection with the suspected poisoning in Odigbo. Investigations indicated that the victims had consumed locally produced alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal substances at two naming ceremonies.
According to the commissioner, one of the substances was brought to a naming ceremony by a person who was not a member of the family hosting the event and was subsequently consumed by guests.
Communities previously identified as being affected in Odigbo include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.
The state government subsequently imposed restrictions on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal beverages in Odigbo as part of measures to prevent further deaths.
Government had also announced a wider ban on the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances following the initial fatalities.
Police investigations have also led to arrests. Authorities previously announced the arrest of a suspect in Araromi-Obu over the alleged production and distribution of the substances, while investigations continue.
Ajaka said the state was working with regulatory and security agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He said the outbreak had also been discussed at a national meeting involving state health commissioners and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), where Ondo’s response in surveillance, case management and tracking was commended.
The exact toxic substance responsible for the deaths has not been conclusively established publicly. Earlier in the response, the state government said samples from affected persons and suspected drinks had been collected for laboratory and toxicological analysis.
Reports have linked the suspected poisoning to locally produced alcoholic and herbal mixtures, sometimes referred to as “Monkey Tail”. Police have reportedly been investigating substances suspected to contain methanol, but this should not be treated as laboratory-confirmed until official toxicological results are released.
With cases now reported in Irele, health officials are working to prevent the outbreak from spreading to additional local government areas while continuing treatment, surveillance and investigations into the source of the suspected toxic substance.
