The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has linked the recent deaths in Ondo State to high concentrations of methanol in locally produced herbal and alcoholic drinks.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who disclosed this in a statement on the outbreak, said 11 of the 15 samples analysed also tested positive for Cannabis Indica.
The outbreak, first reported in early September in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area, has so far recorded 182 cases and 48 deaths.
NAFDAC said 90 patients were treated and discharged, six remain hospitalised, while 31 were treated as outpatients.
The agency also reported that five victims became totally blind, while two others suffered partial blindness.
The agency explained that methanol is highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning, blindness, organ failure and death when consumed.
It said further confirmatory tests are being conducted to determine the exact concentration of methanol and identify other possible toxic substances.
