Suspected alcohol poisoning: Ondo activates multi-agency investigation team as death toll rises

The World Health Organisation, WHO, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have been drafted into the investigation into cases of illness and sudden deaths recorded in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

With the death toll from the suspected toxic alcohol outbreak at 29 out of 60 suspected cases, 48.3 percent fatality rate has been recorded, with majority of the victims disclosed to be males aged 16 to 55.

The Commissioner for Health, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Banji Awolowo Ajaka, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the weekend on the health crisis.

According to the commissioner, three persons are currently on admission, while 27 are under observation.

Ajaka stated that the cases were predominantly identified in New Town, Odole, Okele, and Orita in Odigbo and subsequently in Araromi Obu, while another suspected case has been reported in Oniparaga community, which he said had also been placed under active surveillance

“The Ondo State Government has activated a coordinated emergency response with the Ministry of Health leading the team, comprising the affected Local Government authorities, traditional institutions, and relevant security and regulatory agencies, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, NAFDAC, NDLEA, and the World Health Organisation.

“The response has included the deployment of the State Rapid Response Team to the affected communities, active and retrospective case finding, epidemiological investigation and line-listing, verbal autopsy of selected deceased persons, clinical management and referral of surviving patients,” Ajaka said.