Ondo Toxic Alcohol Outbreak: 182 Cases Recorded, 5 Left Blind – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed 182 cases and 48 deaths following the reported consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State.

The agency, in an update issued on Thursday, said five of the affected persons had been rendered totally blind, while two others were partially blind.

The incident, initially reported in Odigbo Local Government Area, has also spread to Irele Local Government Area, with communities including New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga affected.

According to NAFDAC, the highest impact has been recorded in Odigbo town and Araromi-Obu.

“As of 17th September 2026, a total of 182 cases have been recorded, with 48 deaths confirmed,” the agency said.

It added that 90 of the affected persons had been admitted and subsequently discharged, while 31 were treated as outpatients and six remained hospitalised.

The reported symptoms include headache, generalised body weakness and pain, visual disturbances, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some cases deteriorating rapidly.

NAFDAC said laboratory investigations into the suspected alcoholic concoctions had produced concerning preliminary findings.

“Fifteen (15) unlabelled samples of the suspected concoction were subjected to acute oral toxicity testing, chemical analysis via gas chromatography, and microbiological examination,” it added.

The agency disclosed that 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol.
Methanol is a highly toxic substance that can cause blindness, organ failure and death.

NAFDAC said acute oral toxicity tests recorded approximately 50 per cent mortality in laboratory mice across six of the samples analysed, indicating significant toxic potential.
However, the agency stressed that confirmatory analyses to determine the concentration of methanol and identify other possible toxic agents were still ongoing.

As part of its enforcement response, NAFDAC said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.
“Surveillance, case management, and risk-control measures are actively ongoing across the affected communities, in coordination with relevant public health authorities,” the agency further disclosed.

The agency warned members of the public against purchasing or consuming unlicensed, unregistered and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions whose contents are unknown.
NAFDAC also advised anyone who develops sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, difficulty in breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.

The agency said all figures remained subject to ongoing verification.