The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to the deaths of 48 people in Ondo State.
The agency also disclosed that 11 out of 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while 182 cases of illness have so far been recorded in the affected communities.
NAFDAC made the disclosure in an update signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on the mass illnesses and deaths associated with the consumption of suspected toxic concoctions in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording the highest number of affected residents. Cases have also been reported in Irele Local Government Area.
According to the agency, five victims have reportedly become totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
NAFDAC said 90 of the affected persons were admitted to hospital and later discharged, while 31 were treated as outpatients. Six people remain hospitalised.
Symptoms reported among victims include headaches, general weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some patients reportedly deteriorated rapidly.
Laboratory Findings
NAFDAC said 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected herbal concoctions
were subjected to laboratory examinations, including acute oral toxicity testing, chemical analysis and microbiological examination.Preliminary findings showed that 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica. Gas chromatography also confirmed high concentrations of methanol in the samples.
Methanol is a highly toxic substance that can cause severe poisoning, including blindness, organ failure and death.
NAFDAC further said acute oral toxicity tests recorded approximately 50 per cent mortality among laboratory mice in six of the samples tested, indicating significant toxic potential.
The agency stressed that confirmatory testing is still ongoing to establish the exact concentration of methanol and determine whether other toxic substances are present.
15 Arrested
NAFDAC disclosed that 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.
The agency said surveillance, medical case management, investigation and risk-control measures were continuing in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to avoid unlicensed, unregistered and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose contents and safety cannot be verified.
It also advised anyone who develops sudden visual problems, severe headaches, breathing difficulties or altered consciousness after consuming a suspected substance to seek urgent medical attention.
The agency said the figures remain subject to verification as investigations and surveillance continue.
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