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Agence France-Presse

Nigeria’s food and drug regulator on Saturday said alcoholic concoctions tainted with methanol killed 48 people and sickened 182 in recent weeks.
The deaths occurred in three districts of Nigeria’s southwestern Ondo state after victims consumed the locally brewed mixture, which local media said is known as “Monkey Tail”.
Methanol is highly toxic and causes death by organ failure as well as blindness.
The country’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said five people had been made totally blind and two had partially lost their sight.
The first cases of poisoning were reported earlier this month and the toll has gradually been rising.

Authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the production and sale of the drink, the agency said.
Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases were reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas.
“I took like two shots and I went out on Friday. On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see,” 32-year-old Sola Adebayo told a local television channel from a hospital bed.
Drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated.
“This thing happened rapidly. Once they consume, depending on the quantity, the kidneys will pack up, the eyes will go, the brain will be damaged,” Ajaka said.


NAFDAC said in a statement that after people bought and consumed locally prepared “alcoholic and herbal concoctions”, “48 deaths and 182 cases have been recorded”.
Laboratory tests showed the presence of “high concentrations of methanol”, a deadly alcohol compound, and the indica strain of cannabis in samples of the suspected concoction, the agency said.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


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Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the production and sale of a locally brewed beverage, say officials


Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the production and sale of a locally brewed beverage, say officials.


Nigeria

Food and Drinks

Methanol-tainted Nigeria drink kills 48, 182 made ill: government

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the production and sale of a locally brewed beverage, say officials

Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the production and sale of a locally brewed beverage, say officials