The death toll from a suspected poisoning incident linked to the consumption of locally brewed alcoholic and herbal substances in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 29.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed the development in Akure, saying 60 suspected cases had so far been recorded.
According to the commissioner, three people are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while 27 others remain under medical observation.
The deaths were recorded mainly in communities including Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga.
Ajaka said about 95 per cent of those affected were males between the ages of 16 and 55.
He explained that victims presented symptoms including headache, body pain, weakness, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness, with some deteriorating rapidly.
The commissioner said the pattern of illness and the reported history of exposure had raised strong suspicion of poisoning from a toxic alcoholic substance.
However, he stressed that laboratory evidence confirming the exact cause of the deaths was not yet available.
The government has collected blood and urine samples from victims for laboratory analysis, while samples of the suspected alcoholic substances have also been submitted for toxicological investigations.
The investigation is being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies, while several suspects have reportedly been taken into custody.
As a precautionary measure, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected local government area.
The government urged residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and seek immediate medical attention if they experience blurred vision, breathing difficulties, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.
Residents and community leaders were also urged to promptly report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths to health authorities.
The government said it was working with national and international partners to establish the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.
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