Nigeria's food and drug regulator says laboratory tests have detected high concentrations of methanol and Cannabis indica in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to a poisoning outbreak that has killed 48 people in Ondo State.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17, while seven people had suffered blindness following the outbreak.

Five of those affected have been rendered completely blind and another two partially blind, according to the agency.

NAFDAC said preliminary testing of 15 samples collected during its investigation found that 11 tested positive for Cannabis indica, while gas chromatography detected high concentrations of methanol.

The agency described the findings as gravely concerning but said further laboratory analysis was underway to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify whether other toxic substances were present.

48 DEATHS AND 182 CASES RECORDED

The outbreak has affected several communities in Odigbo Local Government Area, including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi Obu and Oniparaga.

NAFDAC said Odigbo Town and Araromi Obu had recorded the greatest impact.

Cases have also extended into neighbouring Irele Local Government Area.

According to the latest figures released by the agency, 90 patients were admitted to hospital and subsequently discharged.

Another 31 people were treated as outpatients, while six remained hospitalised.

NAFDAC stressed that the figures remain subject to ongoing verification as surveillance continues across the affected communities.

SEVEN PEOPLE SUFFER BLINDNESS

Among the most serious consequences of the outbreak are cases of severe visual impairment.

NAFDAC said five people had been rendered totally blind while another two had suffered partial blindness.

Health authorities recorded symptoms including headaches, generalised weakness and body pain, visual disturbances, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness.

Some patients experienced rapid deterioration.

The visual complications are particularly significant because methanol poisoning can cause severe damage to the optic nerve and may result in permanent blindness.

HIGH LEVELS OF METHANOL DETECTED

NAFDAC subjected 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected drinks to laboratory examination.

Tests included chemical analysis using gas chromatography, microbiological examination and acute oral toxicity testing.

The preliminary results detected high concentrations of methanol.

Methanol is a toxic form of alcohol that can cause severe poisoning when consumed.

Unlike ethanol, which is the alcohol ordinarily found in regulated alcoholic beverages, methanol can cause serious organ damage, blindness and death.

NAFDAC has not yet released the precise concentrations found in the samples.

Confirmatory testing is continuing to quantify the methanol levels and determine whether additional toxic agents contributed to the outbreak.

CANNABIS FOUND IN 11 SAMPLES

Laboratory testing also detected Cannabis indica in 11 of the 15 samples examined.

The finding suggests that cannabis had been incorporated into many of the locally prepared concoctions tested by regulators.

However, NAFDAC's preliminary findings particularly identify the presence of high concentrations of methanol as a major toxicological concern in the outbreak.

Further testing is continuing before the agency completes its final scientific assessment.

LABORATORY MICE TESTS SHOWED HIGH TOXICITY

NAFDAC also conducted acute oral toxicity testing on samples of the suspected concoctions.

According to the agency, approximately 50 percent mortality was recorded among laboratory mice across six of the samples analysed.

NAFDAC said the results indicated significant toxic potential.

The agency is conducting additional testing as investigators attempt to determine the complete chemical composition of the drinks.

15 PEOPLE ARRESTED

Authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.

Investigations are continuing to determine the roles of those arrested and trace the production and distribution chain.

The arrests do not establish guilt, and those detained remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.

NAFDAC said surveillance, case management and measures aimed at controlling the outbreak remain underway in cooperation with relevant public health authorities.

OUTBREAK SPREADS BEYOND ODIGBO

The poisoning outbreak initially centred on communities within Odigbo Local Government Area.

Authorities subsequently identified cases in Irele Local Government Area, widening the geographical scope of the public health response.

The Ondo State Government had earlier launched an investigation after residents became ill and deaths were reported following the consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal drinks.

Early official figures were considerably lower than the latest numbers.

As additional cases were identified and investigations expanded, the reported number of deaths and illnesses increased.

NAFDAC's latest update now places the official number of deaths at 48 and recorded cases at 182 as of September 17.

NAFDAC WARNS AGAINST UNREGISTERED DRINKS

NAFDAC has issued a strong warning against consuming unlicensed and unregistered alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose ingredients and production conditions cannot be verified.

The agency urged members of the public to avoid locally prepared products of unknown composition while investigations continue.

People who develop sudden visual problems, severe headaches, breathing difficulties or altered consciousness after consuming suspicious alcoholic or herbal preparations have been advised to seek emergency medical attention immediately.

The agency's Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed condolences to families who lost relatives and said regulatory measures were being taken in response to the outbreak.

The investigation will now focus on determining the precise levels of methanol in the affected products, identifying any additional toxic substances and establishing how the contaminated drinks were produced and distributed.

With 48 deaths, seven cases of blindness and more than 180 reported illnesses, the incident has developed into a major public health emergency in the affected Ondo communities.