Panic has gripped parts of Ondo State after the death toll from a mysterious illness in Odigbo Local Government Area rose to 27, with the state government launching a crackdown on herbal drinks and other unapproved substances.
Residents of Araromi Obu and Odigbo town were reportedly struck by illness after consuming substances suspected to be herbal preparations, triggering an urgent investigation by health authorities.
The number of fatalities, initially put at 24, has now risen to 27, according to the Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye.
Adegoroye disclosed on Thursday that eight people had died in Araromi Obu while 16 fatalities were initially recorded in Odigbo town, with additional deaths later pushing the overall figure to 27.
He said the situation had started to ease following the intervention of medical teams from the state and local governments.
The development has, however, prompted authorities to move against the sale and distribution of herbal drinks and other substances suspected to be linked to the outbreak.
A task force reportedly moved into parks, markets and streets in the affected communities, seizing some herbal drinks and other products as part of the enforcement exercise.
Environmental and health officials from the state government have also commenced investigations aimed at determining what caused the illnesses and deaths.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government has warned residents to stay away from unapproved herbal preparations, concoctions, medicines and other substances whose safety cannot be established.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said the warning became necessary following the deaths recorded in the affected communities.
The government urged residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid consuming or patronising substances of doubtful origin.
It also warned producers, sellers and distributors of uncertified products to stop the practice, stressing that the production and sale of unapproved substances could endanger public health and attract sanctions under the law.
The government further cautioned residents, particularly youths, against drug abuse and the unauthorised consumption of substances capable of causing serious health complications or death.
It advised residents to obtain medicines and other consumable products only from authorised outlets and seek professional medical advice instead of relying on unverified remedies.
Despite the crackdown, the government stressed that the actual cause of the deaths has yet to be established, saying investigations by relevant agencies are still ongoing.
Authorities are expected to release further findings as laboratory and medical investigations into the mysterious deaths continue.
