The death toll linked to the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal drink in Ondo State has climbed to 49, with about 170 people affected across three local government areas.
The crisis, initially reported in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, has now spread to Irele LGA, where eight deaths were recorded as of Tuesday night.
Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, confirmed the latest figures, saying the number includes people who were admitted for treatment as well as those who died.
“As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue,” Ajaka said, adding that medical teams had already been deployed to the area.
The commissioner attributed the health crisis to ethanol consumption by the victims and said the government had stepped up measures to prevent further spread to other parts of the state.
Medical and health officials, alongside other stakeholders, have been deployed to affected communities following reports of the deaths.
The situation in Araromi-Obu and Odigbo, where the outbreak was first detected, was said to have subsided after interventions by state and local government medical teams.
Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, had earlier reported eight deaths in Araromi-Obu and 16 in Odigbo. The reported toll later increased to 27 before reaching 49.
The police have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command arrested Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko”, over suspected production of the herbal liquid believed to be connected to the incident.
Babatunde is suspected of producing substances that may contain methanol and is assisting investigators, according to the police.
Fourteen other people were also arrested for allegedly violating a local government ban on the sale of herbal products.
Police said the situation had been brought under control following coordinated security, medical and investigative interventions, while the bodies of those who died were undergoing medical and forensic procedures.
The command said further updates would be provided as investigations into the deaths continue.
Ondo herbal drink crisis: Death toll hits 49, 170 affected
