At least 48 people have died and roughly 100 others are receiving hospital treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic drink suspected to contain methanol, state health officials said.
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Key facts
- At least 48 people have died, according to officials.
- About 100 people are receiving hospital treatment.
- A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected.
- Cases were reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas of Ondo state.
- The alcohol is suspected to contain methanol.
At least 48 people have died and about 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, officials said on Thursday, according to the Guardian.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. He said a total of 182 people are believed to have been affected, with some being treated in hospital.
The Guardian reported that drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated. Such conditions can raise the risk of contamination in home-brewed or informally produced drinks.
Methanol is a toxic form of alcohol that can cause severe poisoning when consumed. Officials have linked the deaths and illnesses to the suspected presence of methanol in the drink, though the source of the contamination was not detailed in the available information.
Authorities said those affected are spread across the two local government areas, and treatment efforts were continuing for the roughly 100 people receiving care at the time officials spoke.
Why it matters
Poisonings linked to informally produced alcohol are a recurring public health danger in regions where such drinks are cheap and poorly regulated. The scale of this incident highlights the risks facing rural communities and the challenges of monitoring locally brewed beverages.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died?
Officials said at least 48 people have died, with about 100 others receiving hospital treatment and a total of 182 believed to have been affected.
Where did the poisonings happen?
The cases were reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas of Ondo state in southern Nigeria.
What caused the deaths?
The deaths and illnesses are linked to a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, according to officials cited by the Guardian.
Timeline
- Almost 50 dead in Nigeria after drinking alcohol suspected to contain methanol
The Guardian World: Drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated At least 48 people have died and about 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspe