By Asaye Bankole
The death toll from the suspected poisonous herbal drink outbreak in parts of Ondo State has risen to 49, while approximately 170 people have reportedly been affected by the crisis.
The outbreak was initially reported in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area but has since spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight deaths have reportedly been recorded.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Wednesday, saying the state government had intensified efforts to contain the situation and prevent further loss of lives.
Ajaka identified Irele as the latest area experiencing a serious outbreak, noting that eight people had reportedly died there as of Tuesday night.
He explained that the estimated 170 affected persons included those who had been hospitalised as well as those who had died.
According to the commissioner, health officials and other relevant authorities had been deployed to the affected communities to respond to the emergency.
The commissioner linked the health crisis to the consumption of ethanol by some of the victims, while efforts were ongoing to determine the exact substances responsible for the illnesses and deaths.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as Meko, over the alleged production of a herbal liquid suspected to be connected with the deaths.
Fourteen other individuals were also arrested for allegedly violating the government’s ban on the sale of herbal products in the affected local government area.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said Babatunde was suspected of producing substances containing methanol and was assisting the police with their investigation.
The police also disclosed that the bodies of the deceased were undergoing medical and forensic examinations as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Authorities have continued to urge residents to avoid consuming unverified herbal preparations as efforts intensify to contain the outbreak and identify the source of the suspected toxic substance.
COMMENTS