Nigeria bans uncertified alcohol after 29 deaths
Authorities in Nigeria’s Ondo State have announced a ban on the production, sale and distribution of uncertified local alcoholic beverages after 29 people died in the Odigbo Local Government Area. According to Premium Times Nigeria, all cases are currently classified as suspected, and the cause of the deaths has not been confirmed by laboratory testing.
60 suspected cases
State Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka reported 60 suspected cases. Of these, 29 people have died, three are in hospital, and another 27 are under medical observation. According to him, about 95% of those affected are men aged between 16 and 55. The preliminary case fatality rate is estimated at 48.3%.
The cases were detected mainly in New Town, Odole, Okele and Orita-Odigbo, and later in Araromi-Obu. Another suspected case was recorded in Oniparazi, where active epidemiological surveillance has been introduced. In Araromi-Obu, according to the official, eight people died after consuming an alcoholic substance at a ceremony celebrating the birth of a child.
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The cause of the deaths is being determined
Symptoms reported among those affected included headache, general body pain, weakness, visual impairment, difficulty breathing and impaired consciousness. Ajaka said that the nature of the illness and information about possible exposure to an alcoholic substance raise an epidemiological suspicion of toxic alcohol exposure. At the same time, he stressed that the specific toxic substance has not yet been identified.
Authorities have sent a rapid response team to the affected communities and are conducting case searches, treatment and patient referrals, as well as collecting biological and environmental samples for laboratory testing. They are also closing retail outlets that may be linked to the incident and cooperating with police, security services, regulators and the World Health Organization. Residents experiencing visual impairment, difficulty breathing, weakness or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol were urged to seek medical help immediately.
State Information Commissioner Don Ajanaku urged residents not to consume drinks and other local alcoholic products that have not been approved or certified by government authorities. He also warned producers, sellers and distributors of uncertified products about possible sanctions.
