Methanol, cannabis linked to 48 deaths in Ondo — NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has detected high concentrations of methanol and Cannabis indica in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to a poisoning outbreak that has killed 48 people in Ondo State.

NAFDAC also reported that 182 people had fallen ill and seven others suffered blindness in the outbreak recorded across parts of Odigbo Local Government Area.

The agency disclosed this in an update issued on Friday by its Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, on the mass illnesses and deaths associated with the suspected poisoning.

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 cases.

According to NAFDAC, five people became completely blind while two others suffered partial blindness.

Of the 182 cases recorded as of September 17, 90 people were admitted to health facilities and later discharged, while 31 received outpatient treatment. Six people remained hospitalised at the time of the update.

The agency said patients presented with symptoms including headaches, general body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. Some cases reportedly deteriorated rapidly.

NAFDAC said the outbreak had also spread beyond Odigbo to Irele Local Government Area, stressing that the figures remained subject to verification.

The agency said it analysed 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoctions using acute oral toxicity testing, gas chromatography and microbiological examination.

Preliminary results showed that 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while gas chromatography confirmed high concentrations of methanol.

NAFDAC described methanol as highly toxic and capable of causing blindness, organ failure and death.

The agency also said acute oral toxicity tests conducted on laboratory mice resulted in about 50 per cent mortality across six of the samples tested, indicating significant toxic potential.

However, NAFDAC said further analysis was underway to determine the exact concentration of methanol and establish whether other toxic substances were present.

Meanwhile, 15 people have been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.

NAFDAC said surveillance, case management and risk-control measures were ongoing in the affected communities in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.

The agency urged members of the public to avoid unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic or herbal concoctions, particularly products whose ingredients and safety status cannot be established.

It also advised anyone who develops sudden visual problems, severe headaches, breathing difficulties or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.

Adeyeye commiserated with the families of those who died and assured the public that regulatory measures were being taken in response to the outbreak.