Ondo herbal drink: death toll hits 49, 170 hospitalised

No fewer than 49 deaths have been recorded following the consumption of a deadly toxic alcohol drink in Ondo State.

Amid the rising death toll, 170 people have been identified as being affected across three local government areas of the state.

The health crisis had, over the past few days, ravaged the communities of Araromi Obu and Odigbo in Odigbo Local Council Area of the state.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Banji Ajaka, said the casualty figure had increased and revealed that the crisis had spread to Irele Local Council Area.

According to him, eight people were reported to have died from the same cause in the council.

He said, “As we are now, Irele 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 of yesterday’s night. So all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170.”

Ajaka emphasised that the main cause of the health crisis was the consumption of ethanol by the victims.