By Opeyemi Adelakun
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has detected high concentrations of methanol in suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to a growing health crisis in Ondo State.
NAFDAC said on Friday that the number of deaths associated with the incident had risen to 48, while 182 cases had been recorded in parts of Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed the latest figures and laboratory findings in an update on the incident.
According to her, preliminary laboratory analysis found high concentrations of methanol in samples collected from the suspected concoctions.
Methanol is a toxic industrial alcohol that can cause severe poisoning when consumed, including damage to the optic nerve, permanent blindness, organ failure and death.
NAFDAC said five affected persons had reportedly become completely blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
Of the 182 people recorded, 90 were hospitalised and subsequently discharged, while six remained in hospital. Another 31 received treatment as outpatients.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu reportedly recording the highest concentration of cases.
The agency said the first reports emerged in early September after residents who consumed the suspected beverages began experiencing sudden and severe symptoms.
Those symptoms included headaches, weakness and body pain, visual problems, breathing difficulties and altered consciousness.
NAFDAC said it had arrested 15 people in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated alcoholic and herbal products.
The agency collected samples for laboratory, forensic and toxicological examinations aimed at determining their chemical composition and identifying toxic substances, contaminants, adulterants or undeclared ingredients.
Fifteen unlabeled samples were subjected to toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening.
NAFDAC said an acute oral toxicity test conducted on laboratory mice showed that all the samples caused critical illness in the animals.
It said six of the 15 samples recorded approximately 50 per cent mortality during the testing.
Although some of the affected animals recovered within 24 hours, the agency warned that further exposure could be fatal.
Chemical analysis also detected Cannabis indica in 11 samples, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol.
NAFDAC said the findings, particularly the methanol detection and mortality recorded during toxicity testing, indicated a serious public health risk.
The agency, however, cautioned that the laboratory findings remained preliminary as further tests were being conducted.
“Further confirmatory testing is ongoing to quantify methanol concentration and identify other possible toxic agents,” NAFDAC said.
The agency added that surveillance, investigation, treatment and other risk-control measures were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the outbreak and prevent further exposure.
It also cautioned that the reported figures remained subject to verification as surveillance and investigations progressed.
NAFDAC commiserated with families who lost relatives and urged residents to remain vigilant while investigations into the suspected contaminated concoctions continue.
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