170 People Affected as New Cases Emerge in Irele, Government Intensifies Response
The death toll from the suspected poisonous alcoholic beverage outbreak in Ondo State has risen to 49, while the number of affected persons has increased to 170.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed the latest figures in Akure, saying the new cases were recorded in Irele Local Government Area.
Ajaka said health authorities had intensified surveillance, case management and contact tracing to contain the outbreak and identify the source of the suspected poisonous substance.
He added that medical teams had been deployed to affected communities to monitor the situation, manage cases and trace possible sources of the substances.
The commissioner said the state government was working with NAFDAC, NDLEA, DSS, NSCDC, the police and other relevant agencies as investigations continue.
He said the outbreak was also discussed at a national meeting involving state commissioners for health and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, where Ondo’s response in surveillance, case management and tracking was commended.
Ajaka had earlier reported 29 deaths and 121 affected persons in Odigbo Local Government Area, attributing the fatalities to locally produced alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal substances consumed during two naming ceremonies.
According to him, investigations showed that a person who was not a member of one of the families hosting a naming ceremony procured the substances and brought them to the event for guests to consume.
The affected communities in Odigbo include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga.
As part of measures to prevent further deaths, the state government has banned the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal beverages in Odigbo Local Government Area.
Police have also arrested a suspect in Araromi-Obu over the alleged production and distribution of the substances, while investigations continue.