The death toll from the suspected consumption of toxic alcoholic drinks and locally produced herbal concoctions known as ‘Monkey Tail’ in Ondo State has risen to 49.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 38 deaths initially recorded in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, reported by The Nation. Newspapers
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Wednesday night, said the number of affected persons has now climbed to 170.
He explained that the latest deaths were recorded in Irele Local Government Area of the state, where eight persons have died from suspected poisoning.
Ajaka disclosed that health authorities had deployed response teams to Irele LGA and other affected communities to conduct surveillance, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.
The Commissioner said the government was yet to establish whether the suspected poisoning came from one source or multiple sources.
He said, “So, all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.
“We are always fast about it wherever and whenever we hear reports of the issue. Our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now.”
Ajaka revealed that the government was working with various agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as part of the investigation. NigeriaNews Subscription
According to him, 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).
The Commissioner said the investigation would continue until the source of the suspected poisonous substance was identified.
Mr Ajaka had previously attributed the deaths to the consumption of locally produced alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal substances.
The latest figures follow an earlier outbreak reported in Odigbo LGA of the state, where 29 deaths had initially been recorded.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.
The state government had subsequently banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal drinks in Odigbo as a precautionary measure.
Also, the police had arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over alleged involvement in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.
In a statement, the police spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, explained that the suspect was assisting the command with its investigation.
Abayomi added that 14 other persons were also arrested for allegedly violating the ban on the sale of herbal products, the police said.
He said the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic procedures as investigations continued into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Meanwhile, the outbreak has triggered fear in the affected communities, with residents combining medical interventions with prayers and traditional spiritual measures.
In Araromi-Obu, Pastor Segun Ajiboye led residents in prayers for the recovery of those affected and an end to the deaths.
“We are asking God to intervene in our community and put an end to all these deaths. We do not want to witness another death among our people, most especially the youths,” Ajiboye said.
The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Rufus Akinrimade, also said the palace had commenced spiritual cleansing and prayers following the deaths.
The monarch, however, said residents should not ignore the possible health risks associated with consuming unregulated alcoholic substances.
“Yes, we are embarking on spiritual cleansing and prayers, but I think mainly it is caused by carelessness and a lackadaisical attitude.
“We realised it was caused by taking different alcoholic substances, locally made alcohol. We don’t know the source,” Akinrimade added.
He urged residents, particularly young people, to avoid consuming alcoholic or herbal preparations whose contents and production processes are unknown.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, had earlier said the substance linked to the deaths was not a contaminated commercial beverage but a locally produced gin.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ajanaku said the government’s investigation showed that the drink was manufactured around Odigbo.
“It is not a contaminated beverage. It is a local gin being manufactured somewhere around Odigbo Local Government Area,” he said.
Ajaka said the authorities would continue surveillance and investigation in the affected communities to prevent the outbreak from spreading to other parts of the state.
