The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of 29 people from suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of alcoholic substances in the Odigbo Local Government Area.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this on Friday in Akure, said that there were 60 suspected cases from the incident.

He explained that three people were currently on admission in hospitals, while 27 others remain under medical observation.

Mr Ajaka said 95 per cent of those affected were males aged between 16 and 55, with cases recorded mainly in Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga communities.

Some residents of the affected communities reportedly fell ill after consuming substances suspected to be herbal alcoholic drinks.

The commissioner explained that the symptoms included headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some patients deteriorating rapidly.

“The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance.

“However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths,” he said.

The commissioner said 36 blood and urine samples had been collected for laboratory analysis, while samples of suspected alcoholic substances had also been submitted for toxicological investigations.

He said the investigation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies, adding that several suspects had been taken into custody.

Mr Ajaka said the state government had imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected local government area.

He urged residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and immediately seek medical attention if they develop blurred vision, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.

The commissioner also appealed to residents and community leaders to report unusual illnesses and sudden deaths promptly to health authorities.

He assured the public that government was working with national and international partners to identify the cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of lives.

(NAN)