— 60 cases recorded as govt bans local alcoholic drinks in Odigbo
The death toll from a suspected poisoning outbreak linked to the consumption of alcoholic and herbal alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 29.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this on Friday night in Akure, saying 60 suspected cases had so far been recorded.
Ajaka said three affected persons were currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while another 27 remained under medical observation.
The latest figure represents a rise from the 24 deaths initially reported by the state government and the 27 deaths confirmed by the Odigbo Local Government Chairman, Taiwo Adegoroye, on Thursday.
According to the commissioner, about 95 per cent of those affected were males between the ages of 16 and 55, with cases concentrated in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities.
He said victims presented symptoms including headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients reportedly deteriorating rapidly.
Ajaka said the pattern of illness and the reported history of exposure had raised strong suspicion that the victims were exposed to a toxic alcoholic substance.
“The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance,” he said.
The commissioner, however, stressed that the exact cause of the deaths had yet to be established scientifically.
“However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths,” he added.
He disclosed that health authorities had collected 36 blood and urine samples for laboratory analysis, while samples of the suspected alcoholic substances had also been submitted for toxicological examination.
The investigation, according to him, is being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies, with several suspects already taken into custody.
In a bid to prevent further deaths, the Ondo State Government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic drinks and alcoholic herbal beverages in Odigbo Local Government Area.
Ajaka urged residents to avoid alcoholic products obtained from unlicensed sources until the cause of the deaths was established.
He particularly advised anyone who develops blurred vision, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol to seek immediate medical attention.
The commissioner also urged community leaders and residents to promptly report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths to health authorities.
He assured residents that the government was working with national and international partners to unravel the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.
