The Ondo State Government has confirmed that the death toll from the suspected consumption of a contaminated alcoholic beverage in Araromi-Obu and other communities within the Odigbo Local Government Area has risen to 29.
The State Commissioner for Health, Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Akure.
According to him, a total of 60 cases have been recorded. Out of these, 29 people have died, three are currently on admission in hospitals, and 27 others remain under medical observation.
Dr Awolowo-Ajaka noted that 95 percent of those affected are males aged between 16 and 55, with cases recorded primarily in the Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele, and Oniparaga communities.
The commissioner explained that symptoms exhibited by the victims include headache, body pain, general body weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty breathing, and altered consciousness. He added that some patients deteriorated rapidly, leading to death within a few hours.
“The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance,” Awolowo-Ajaka said. “However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths.”
He revealed that 36 blood and urine samples have been collected for laboratory analysis, alongside samples of the suspected alcoholic substances submitted for toxicological investigation.
The commissioner stated that the investigation is being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies. In response to the crisis, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected local government area. Several suspects found selling the substance have already been taken into custody.
Awolowo-Ajaka appealed to residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience blurred vision, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.
He assured the public that the government is working with national and international partners to identify the exact cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of life. He advised that anyone exhibiting symptoms should be taken immediately to the General Hospital in Ore or the UNIMED Teaching Hospital in Ondo.
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