ABUJA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 48 as suspected poisoning from a locally brewed alcoholic beverage continues to spread in Nigeria's southwestern Ondo State, the government said Thursday.
Banji Ajaka, the health commissioner in Ondo State, told Xinhua by telephone that about 182 confirmed cases were reported at local health facilities, with suspected cases spreading across Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas.
At least 20 deaths were initially recorded, several days after the incident was first reported in two communities in Odigbo on Sept. 5.
"The source of the death is linked to the consumption of suspected methanol," Ajaka said, noting that methanol is a flammable and toxic alcohol not intended for human consumption. "The urine sample from the victims is pointing to suspected methanol."
A local brewer sold the alcoholic drink to people in the affected communities in Ondo, according to local sources. Most of those who allegedly consumed the beverage were youths.
Ajaka said that the Idogun and Gbogunron communities have so far been affected in Irele Local Government Area, which has now become a flashpoint of the incident.
Local police said Thursday that they had so far arrested 15 people involved in the production, sale and distribution of the alcoholic substance.
Public health authorities in Ondo have intensified their investigation following the surge in casualties, Ajaka said, adding that the investigation involved the World Health Organization, Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and other agencies.
Local experts have warned that consumption of methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, can cause central nervous system depression, permanent blindness or death.
Chinedu Osuagwu, a local health expert, told Xinhua that there could be severe fatality risks, as many Nigerians continue to consume methanol in the form of illegally mixed counterfeit alcoholic beverages or local spirits. ■
