ABUJA — At least 48 people have died while 182 others have been affected following the reported consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed.
The agency said preliminary laboratory investigations had detected high concentrations of methanol in samples of the suspected concoctions, raising concerns over the potential cause of the deaths, blindness and other severe illnesses reported among consumers.
The affected communities are mainly in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo Town, Araromi-Obu, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo and Oniparaga, while cases have also been reported in Irele Local Government Area.
According to NAFDAC’s update issued on Friday by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the incident was first reported in early September following sudden illnesses and deaths among residents who had reportedly consumed the suspected concoctions.
The agency said initial reports put the death toll at 31, comprising 20 deaths in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu.
However, further surveillance and investigation increased the number of affected persons to 182 and the reported deaths to 48.
NAFDAC said 90 affected persons had been admitted and subsequently discharged, while six remained hospitalised. Another 31 were treated as outpatients.
The agency also reported that five people had become totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
The clinical symptoms recorded among victims included headache, general body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients reportedly deteriorating rapidly.
As part of efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, NAFDAC said 15 persons had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the locally produced alcoholic and herbal beverages.
Methanol detected
NAFDAC said it collected samples of the suspected concoctions for laboratory and toxicological examinations to determine their chemical composition and identify possible toxic substances, adulterants, contaminants or undeclared ingredients.
According to the agency, 15 unlabeled samples underwent toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening.
The acute oral toxicity tests, conducted using laboratory mice in accordance with standard procedures, produced critically ill animals, while approximately 50 per cent mortality was recorded in six of the 15 samples tested.
NAFDAC said chemical screening also detected Cannabis indica in 11 samples, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of a high concentration of methanol.
The agency noted that methanol is highly toxic and can cause serious health complications, including blindness, organ failure and death when ingested.
NAFDAC, however, stressed that the laboratory findings remain preliminary, with further confirmatory tests underway to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify any other toxic substances that may have contributed to the outbreak.
“The combination of high mortality in animal testing and confirmed methanol contamination strongly suggests that the samples pose a serious public health risk,” the agency said.
It added that the findings required immediate regulatory intervention to prevent further harm.
NAFDAC intensifies response
The agency said surveillance, case management, investigation and risk-control measures were ongoing as authorities continued to monitor the situation.
NAFDAC also warned that the reported figures remained subject to verification as investigations and surveillance activities continued.
The agency expressed condolences to the families who lost loved ones in what it described as an unfortunate occurrence.
The latest development follows reports that the suspected toxic alcohol outbreak has expanded beyond Odigbo, with Irele now listed among the affected areas.
