ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 48 people have died and approximately 100 others are receiving medical treatment in southern Nigeria following consumption of a beverage suspected to contain methanol, according to health officials.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo State’s commissioner for health, confirmed that the cases were reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas, with a total of 182 individuals believed to have been affected by the outbreak.
“This happened very quickly,” Ajaka explained to The Associated Press. “Depending on the amount consumed, it affects the kidneys severely, causes vision loss, and damages the brain.”
Some patients who fell ill after consuming the contaminated drink have since been discharged from hospitals, Ajaka noted.
Abayomi Jimoh, spokesperson for the Ondo State police, revealed that one of 15 individuals arrested in connection with the incident had been manufacturing the suspected methanol-laced drink and is currently providing assistance with the ongoing investigation.
Local media outlets reported that the first death from the outbreak was documented nearly two weeks ago.