Health officials are investigating a cluster of deaths in Odigbo Local Government Area, but laboratory and post mortem examinations have not established what caused them.
AKURE- Authorities in Ondo State have confirmed the deaths of at least 24 people in two communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, while health officials investigate a possible connection with locally produced alcoholic and herbal drinks.
Odigbo Local Government Chairman Taiwo Adegoroye confirmed that eight deaths were recorded in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town. The deaths reportedly began over the weekend.
Other residents are receiving treatment at medical facilities, although authorities have not released an official number of patients or details of their conditions.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed that an investigation was underway but said the exact death toll could not yet be given. Some of those who died were buried immediately, some remain in the mortuary, and others are still on admission in hospitals, he said, cautioning against attributing the deaths to any particular substance before laboratory analyses and medical investigations are concluded. Officials from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the World Health Organization are assisting state health teams with the inquiry.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adeji, said preliminary findings suggested a possible connection with locally distilled alcoholic beverages and other preparations containing herbs or ethanol. This detail could not be independently corroborated at the time of this report.
Samples have been collected for laboratory examination.
Community accounts indicate that some of the affected residents became unconscious or died after returning to their homes. Some were reportedly found dead in their sleep.
Those accounts have not been supported by publicly released clinical records, death certificates or autopsy findings.
Adegoroye said the local government health team had conducted preliminary verbal examinations of the circumstances surrounding the deaths. He added that a medical team from the state Ministry of Health was expected to conduct further tests.
The local government has imposed a precautionary ban on the sale and consumption of locally distilled alcoholic drinks within the area. The duration reported in some accounts as one month could not be independently confirmed.
Authorities have not released the legal instrument establishing the ban, the products covered or the enforcement arrangements.
No seller, producer or individual has been publicly identified as responsible.
The state government has promised to release additional information when the medical investigation establishes the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Until then, the confirmed facts are that at least 24 people have died, other residents are receiving treatment and authorities are examining a possible connection with locally produced drinks. The medical cause remains undetermined.
