Federal health authorities have attributed the deaths of 18 men to local gin which had been contaminated with methanol.
Officials suspect the the men – who were aged between 22 and 75, and died within four days of each other last week in the Ondo state – had consumed local gin which contained the toxic substance methanol in place of ethanol.
The men suffered from symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, blindness, and loss of speech, before they died within 48 hours.
Five more people have been hospitalised for treatment.
Officials reportedly advised there was “strong linkage of the outbreak with the consumption of a local gin that may have been contaminated with methanol.”
Early investigations ruled out the possibility of a bacterial or viral disease, such as Ebola.
“At this stage, the poisonous substance is being ascertained,” minister of state for health, Fidelis Nwankwo, told All Africa.
“The results of these detailed investigations currently being conducted by government and partners are still being awaited and will be made public as soon as possible.”
Comments
Post a Comment