Ondo Alcohol Poisoning: 48 Dead, 182 Affected As Panel Confirms Methanol In ‘Monkey Tail’

The NMA-NAFDAC Liaison Committee has confirmed that a high concentration of methanol in a local concoction known as ‘monkey tail’ is responsible for the recent mass deaths in Ondo State.

Chairman of the committee, Dr Azim Adekunle Ashimi, disclosed this in an update on Tuesday, citing laboratory findings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

ALSO READ:

• NYSA: Alcohol Ban Enforcement Undermines Economy, Calls for NAFDAC DG Removal
• Group Demands NAFDAC DG’s Sack, Says Sachet Alcohol Ban Defies Presidential Directive

According to the committee, samples collected from Odigbo, Irele and surrounding Local Government Areas contained high concentrations of methanol and cannabis indica.

The committee said 182 people were affected, with 48 deaths recorded. Five victims were reportedly rendered permanently blind, while two others suffered partial visual loss.

Ashimi explained that methanol is an industrial solvent not intended for human consumption. He said that when ingested, the liver metabolises it into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and retinal cells.

According to him, this can lead to irreversible blindness, severe metabolic acidosis, multi-organ failure and death.

The committee said victims presented with severe headache, abdominal pain, generalised weakness, altered consciousness, breathing difficulty and blurred or “snowfield” vision after consuming the drink.

Ashimi advised healthcare providers in Ondo and neighbouring states to maintain a high level of suspicion when treating patients who develop sudden visual impairment or unexplained metabolic acidosis after consuming local alcoholic or herbal mixtures.

He called for prompt resuscitation, airway management, correction of acidosis, administration of antidotes and urgent haemodialysis where indicated.

He also urged immediate reporting of suspected cases to health authorities and NAFDAC.

The committee acknowledged the arrest of 15 suspects but called for a full crackdown on informal distilleries, illegal herbal mixture blenders and open-market distribution networks.

It also called for nationwide sensitisation against the consumption of unlabelled and unregistered alcoholic beverages, as well as stricter control over the supply chain of methanol to prevent its diversion into beverage production.