The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed 48 deaths and 182 cases of severe illness linked to the consumption of suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State.
The agency said the affected communities are mainly in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo Town, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga. Cases have also been reported in Irele Local Government Area.
The figures were contained in an update issued by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, with the agency noting that investigations and surveillance are still ongoing. The figures may therefore be subject to further verification.
Five Victims Completely Lost Their Sight
According to NAFDAC, five people became totally blind while two others suffered partial blindness following the consumption of the suspected concoctions.
Some of the symptoms reported among affected persons include headaches, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly.
Of the 182 cases recorded as of September 17, NAFDAC said 90 people had been admitted and subsequently discharged, 31 were treated as outpatients, while six remained hospitalised.
NAFDAC Detects High Levels Of Methanol
Preliminary laboratory investigations have raised serious concerns about the contents of the drinks consumed by the victims.
NAFDAC said it analysed 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected herbal and alcoholic concoctions. Gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol, a highly toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure and death when ingested.
The agency also reported that 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica.
Toxicity testing further showed approximately 50 per cent mortality among laboratory mice exposed to six of the samples, which NAFDAC said indicated significant toxic potential. However, the agency stressed that confirmatory laboratory analyses are still being conducted to determine the precise methanol concentration and identify any other potentially harmful substances.
15 Suspects Arrested
As part of the investigation and enforcement response, NAFDAC said 15 people have been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally prepared alcoholic and herbal beverages.
Surveillance, case management and risk-control measures are continuing in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.
NAFDAC Warns Nigerians
NAFDAC has urged Nigerians to avoid consuming unlicensed, unregistered or locally prepared alcoholic and herbal products whose contents are unknown.
The warning comes as authorities continue efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the outbreak and prevent further exposure.
Methanol is particularly dangerous when ingested because poisoning can cause serious visual problems, blindness, organ failure and death.
Investigation Still Ongoing
The Ondo incident has raised renewed concerns about the risks associated with consuming alcoholic and herbal preparations whose ingredients, manufacturing conditions and safety status cannot be verified.
NAFDAC said its investigation is still ongoing, meaning the current figures and laboratory findings should be understood as part of an active public-health investigation rather than the final assessment.
The agency is continuing laboratory analysis, surveillance and other measures aimed at identifying the source of the suspected contamination and preventing additional cases.
What Nigerians Should Know
Nigerians are advised to be cautious about consuming locally prepared alcoholic or herbal mixtures, particularly products without proper labelling or regulatory approval.
Anyone who develops unusual symptoms after consuming a suspected product should seek urgent medical attention and inform health authorities about what was consumed.
The tragedy in Ondo State also highlights the importance of knowing what is contained in products being consumed, rather than assuming that a product is safe simply because it is described as herbal or traditional.
Source: NAFDAC update as reported by Nigerian news outlets.
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