The death toll from the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has risen to 49, while the number of affected persons has climbed to about 170, health authorities have confirmed.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this on Wednesday night, saying the number of affected persons has now increased and the incident has extended to Irele Local Government Area.
He explained that eight of the latest deaths were recorded in Irele, where health authorities have deployed response teams to conduct surveillance, manage cases and trace the source of the suspected toxic substance.
Ajaka said the incident was initially recorded in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, where at least 30 residents died after allegedly consuming the substance, with symptoms including headache, body pain, weakness, visual disturbance and breathing difficulty.
The state government said it is collaborating with NAFDAC, NDLEA, DSS, NSCDC, the police and other agencies in the ongoing probe, while the Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man suspected to be involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.
The police also said 14 others were arrested for violating the ban placed by the local government on the sale of herbal products.
