The death toll from suspected alcohol poisoning in some communities in Ondo State has risen to 49, with 170 cases recorded.
The incident was first reported on Saturday, September 5, in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu in Odigbo LGA after residents reportedly consumed a herbal liquid substance.
Some of those affected allegedly became unconscious before dying at different locations.
On September 13, the Ondo State Government banned the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances following the deaths of 30 people in the state.
Subsequently, the Ondo State Police Command arrested one Oloruntoba Babatunde for allegedly producing the harmful alcoholic substances.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Banji Ajaka, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, said the casualty figure had increased and that the incident had been reported in Irele LGA.
Ajaka said eight people died in Irele LGA on Tuesday, adding that the death toll now stands at 49.
The commissioner said the number of affected people had increased to 170, including those who had died and those receiving medical treatment.
“As we are now, Irele (LGA) is where we have a serious issue now; our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded to have died as at yesterday’s night,” he said.
“So all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.”
Ajaka said the main cause of the alcohol poisoning was the consumption of ethanol by the victims.
The commissioner said the state government was working to prevent the spread of the cases to other local government areas.
