Ondo State methanol poisoning kills 48 people

At least 48 people have died and 182 others have been affected following the consumption of a locally produced alcoholic concoction known as ‘monkey tail’ in Ondo State, Nigeria. Laboratory analysis conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) confirmed high concentrations of methanol in samples collected from the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. Some samples also reportedly contained Cannabis indica.

The poisoning has caused severe health complications, including permanent blindness in five individuals and partial vision loss in two others. Medical experts noted that methanol is an industrial solvent that, when ingested, converts to formic acid in the liver, potentially causing organ failure, metabolic acidosis, and irreversible damage to the optic nerve.

This outbreak follows a similar incident in the same region in 2015. Critics have raised questions regarding regulatory oversight and the effectiveness of NAFDAC in preventing the production and distribution of illicit, toxic alcoholic mixtures. Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the current outbreak.