NAFDAC detects high methanol levels in herbal concoctions

…arrests 15 suspects linked to the Ondo mass deaths

In a recent report by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the agency provided an update on the mass deaths recorded in parts of Ondo State following the consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions.

The agency, while commiserating with the families who lost their loved ones in the incident, disclosed that investigations into the cause of the deaths had yielded significant findings, including the detection of high concentrations of methanol in samples of the suspected concoctions.

The incident was initially reported to have claimed 31 lives, comprising 20 deaths in Odigbo Town and 11 in Araromi-Obu.

However, the latest update shows that 182 cases have now been recorded, with 48 deaths. Of those affected, 90 persons have been admitted and discharged, 6 are currently hospitalized, while 31 others are being treated as outpatients.

The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with the situation particularly pronounced in Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu. NAFDAC also reported that cases have now been recorded in Irele Local Government Area.

The affected persons reportedly presented with symptoms including headache, generalized body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.

The health consequences have also included cases of blindness, with 5 persons reported to have suffered total blindness and 2 others partial blindness.

According to the report signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency collected 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected locally prepared alcoholic and herbal beverages as part of efforts to determine what may have caused the illnesses and deaths.

The samples were subjected to toxicological, microbiological and chemical screening, while acute oral toxicity tests were conducted using laboratory mice in accordance with the agency’s standard operating procedures and relevant OECD guidelines.

NAFDAC said all 15 samples caused the test animals to become critically ill, while approximately 50% mortality was recorded in six of the samples.

Although the critically ill animals recovered after 24 hours, the agency noted that there remained a possibility that the recovered animals could die if given a second dose.

Chemical screening also detected Cannabis Indica in 11 of the 15 samples, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol.

According to NAFDAC, methanol is highly toxic and can cause blindness, organ failure and death.

The agency said the combination of the high mortality observed during the animal toxicity tests and the confirmed presence of methanol strongly suggested that the samples posed a serious public health risk.

NAFDAC, however, stressed that the findings were preliminary and required further confirmatory analyses.

It said further testing was ongoing to quantify the concentration of methanol in the samples and identify other possible toxic agents.

Meanwhile, the investigation has also led to the arrest of 15 persons in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated locally produced alcoholic and herbal beverages.

The agency added that surveillance, case management, investigation and risk-control measures remain ongoing in the affected communities, while the reported figures remain subject to verification as investigations and surveillance activities continue.