Ondo Toxic Alcohol Crisis Spreads to Irele as Death Toll Rises to 49
The ongoing health crisis linked to the consumption of toxic alcoholic substances containing lethal levels of ethanol has spread to Irele Local Government Area, the Ondo State Government has confirmed.
Ondo State Health Commissioner Dr. Banji Ajaka disclosed on Wednesday that eight new deaths have been recorded in the Irele council area, bringing the total number of affected individuals across the state to approximately 170 people. The total includes both hospitalised patients and those who have succumbed to the poisoning.
Outbreak Expands to Irele LGA
Speaking on the rapid spread of the outbreak, Dr. Ajaka revealed that emergency medical teams have been deployed to Irele to contain the situation.
“As of now, Irele Local Government Area is where we have a serious issue,” Ajaka stated. “Our people are there, and many people have died. About eight people have been recorded as having died as of last night. So, all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170—those that have been admitted and those that have died.”
Odigbo Casualties and Ethanol Poisoning Confirmed
The escalation comes shortly after the commissioner confirmed 29 deaths in communities within the Odigbo Local Government Area during a press briefing. Dozens of other affected residents are currently undergoing emergency treatment at various state hospitals.
Medical investigations have reconfirmed that excessive ethanol consumption from illicit or unregulated local brews is the direct cause of the fatal health crisis.
Government Imposes Statewide Ban on Unverified Alcohol
In a swift bid to halt further casualties and stop the crisis from bleeding into other local government areas, the Ondo State Government has announced an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of all unverified alcoholic drinks across the state.
Rapid response teams, public health officers, and community stakeholders are currently on the ground in high-risk zones to enforce the ban, evaluate local compliance, and provide critical medical interventions.
Dr. Ajaka urged Ondo residents to exercise extreme vigilance and completely avoid consuming any unlabelled, unverified, or suspicious alcoholic substances. He assured the public that the government will sustain its emergency response until the toxic outbreak is fully contained.
(NAN)
