The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has linked a deadly outbreak in parts of Ondo State to suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions containing high concentrations of methanol.
The agency said 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17, with 48 deaths confirmed. The affected communities are mainly in Odigbo Local Government Area, including Odigbo Town, Araromi-Obu, New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo and Oniparaga. Cases have also been reported in Irele Local Government Area.
According to NAFDAC, the outbreak was first reported in early September after residents who had reportedly consumed the suspected alcoholic and herbal mixtures began developing severe symptoms and, in some cases, died.
The agency said the initial death toll stood at 31, comprising 20 deaths in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu. The figure subsequently increased to 48 as surveillance and investigations expanded.
Among the 182 affected people, 90 were admitted to hospitals and later discharged, while six remained hospitalised. Another 31 received treatment as outpatients. NAFDAC also reported that five people had suffered total blindness and two others partial blindness.
The symptoms reported among victims included headaches, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly after falling ill.
As part of its investigation, NAFDAC collected 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoctions for toxicological, microbiological and chemical analysis.
The agency said preliminary chemical analysis using gas chromatography confirmed high concentrations of methanol in the samples. Eleven of the 15 samples also tested positive for Cannabis indica.
NAFDAC said acute oral toxicity tests conducted on laboratory mice showed serious toxic effects, with approximately 50 per cent mortality recorded in six of the 15 samples tested.
Methanol is a highly toxic substance. When ingested, it can cause severe poisoning, including visual impairment or blindness, organ damage and death.
However, NAFDAC cautioned that the laboratory findings remain preliminary. Further testing is being conducted to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify any other potentially toxic substances that may have been present in the drinks.
The agency has also arrested 15 people in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated alcoholic and herbal beverages as investigations continue.
NAFDAC said surveillance, medical case management and other risk-control measures remain ongoing in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.
The agency has urged members of the public to avoid consuming unregistered or unlicensed alcoholic and herbal preparations, particularly products whose ingredients and manufacturing conditions cannot be verified.
The Ondo incident has prompted renewed concern over the risks associated with unregulated alcoholic and herbal mixtures, while authorities continue laboratory investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.