No fewer than 49 people have reportedly lost their lives in Ondo State as a result of the consumption of the deadly herbal drinks, while the casualty figure of the victims has increased to 170.
Recall that about 30 residents of the two communities in the council area, Araromi-Obu and Odigbo town had earlier confirmed dead after consuming the substance.
It was gathered that the death toll has risen to 49 as at Wednesday.
Banji Ajaka, the State Commissioner for Health, who spoke with journalists disclosed that the casualty figure had increased and said the matter had extended to the Irele Local Government where eight people were reported to have passed away following the same way .
He said ‘as we are now, Irele (LG) is where we have serious issues now, our people were there and many people have died . About eight people have been recorded to have died as of yesterday night.
‘So all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.’
Ajaka reiterated that the main cause of the health crisis was the consumption of ethanol by the victims. He however noted that the state government was being proactive about it to prevent further spread to other local governments as the medical and health officers and other stakeholders immediately moved to anywhere they heard the report.
‘So all the people that have been affected altogether now are about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.’
Ajaka reiterated that the main cause of the health crisis was the consumption of ethanol by the victims. He however noted that the state government was being proactive about it to prevent further spread to other local governments as the medical and health officers and other stakeholders immediately moved to anywhere they heard the report.