The Ondo State Government has confirmed 29 deaths and 60 suspected cases in Odigbo LGA following suspected poisoning linked to alcoholic substances, as laboratory investigations continue.
The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of 29 people in a suspected poisoning incident linked to the consumption of alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed the latest official figures on Friday night in Akure, saying 60 suspected cases had been recorded in connection with the incident.
Ajaka said three people were currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while 27 others remained under medical observation.
The development follows earlier reports of deaths in several communities in Odigbo LGA, with casualty figures varying as health authorities and security agencies continued to investigate the incident. Authorities have consistently maintained that the exact cause of the deaths has not yet been established.
The commissioner said about 95 percent of those affected were males aged between 16 and 55. According to him, cases were recorded mainly in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities.
Some residents of the affected communities reportedly fell ill after consuming substances suspected to be herbal alcoholic drinks.
Ajaka said the symptoms reported among affected persons included headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients deteriorating rapidly.
“The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance.
“However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths,” he said.
The commissioner said 36 blood and urine samples had been collected for laboratory analysis, while samples of suspected alcoholic substances had also been submitted for toxicological investigations.
Earlier investigations by state health authorities had ruled out viral and bacterial infections as the likely cause, although officials have cautioned against reaching conclusions before laboratory and toxicological tests are completed.
Ajaka said the investigation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies, adding that several suspects had been taken into custody.
The state government has also imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected local government area.
The police had earlier advised residents to avoid consuming unregulated or suspicious alcoholic and herbal preparations pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Ajaka urged residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as blurred vision, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.
He also appealed to residents and community leaders to promptly report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths to health authorities.
The commissioner assured the public that the Ondo State Government was working with national and international partners to establish the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.
The government said the final cause of the suspected poisoning would be determined after the completion of laboratory and toxicological investigations.
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