Ondo alcohol poisoning: 48 dead, 182 affected as panel confirms methanol in ‘monkey tail’

The NMA-NAFDAC Liaison Committee has confirmed that high concentration of methanol in a local concoction known as ‘monkey tail’ is responsible for the recent mass deaths in Ondo State.

Chairman of the committee, Dr Azim Adekunle Ashimi, disclosed this in an update on Tuesday, citing laboratory findings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

According to the committee, samples collected from Odigbo, Irele and surrounding LGAs contained high concentrations of methanol and cannabis indica.

It said out of 182 affected, 48 persons have died, five rendered permanently blind and two others suffered partial visual loss.

Ashimi explained that methanol is an industrial solvent not intended for human consumption, adding that when ingested, the liver metabolises it into formic acid which attacks the optic nerve and retinal cells.

He said this leads to irreversible blindness, severe metabolic acidosis, multi-organ failure and death.

The committee said victims presented with severe headache, abdominal pain, generalised weakness, altered consciousness, breathing difficulty and blurred or “snowfield” vision after taking the drink.

He advised healthcare providers in Ondo and neighbouring states to maintain high suspicion for patients with sudden visual impairment or unexplained metabolic acidosis after consumption of local alcoholic or herbal mixtures.

Ashimi called for prompt resuscitation, airway management, correction of acidosis, administration of antidotes and urgent haemodialysis where indicated, and immediate reporting of suspected cases to health authorities and NAFDAC.

The committee acknowledged the arrest of 15 suspects but demanded a full crackdown on informal distilleries, illegal herbal mixture blenders and open-market distribution networks.

It also called for nationwide sensitisation against consumption of unlabelled, unregistered alcoholic beverages and stricter control over the supply chain of methanol to prevent its diversion into beverage production.