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

The NMA-NAFDAC Liaison Committee has confirmed that methanol found in a local concoction called ‘monkey tail’ has caused mass deaths in Ondo State. Chairman Dr Azim Adekunle Ashimi revealed this on Tuesday after laboratory findings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. Samples from Odigbo, Irele and nearby local governments showed high levels of methanol and cannabis indica.

Of the 182 affected individuals, 48 have died, five are permanently blind, and two have suffered partial vision loss.

Methanol, an industrial solvent, is not meant for human consumption. When ingested, it is metabolized by the liver into formic acid, which damages the optic nerve and retinal cells. This results in irreversible blindness, severe metabolic acidosis, multi-organ failure, and ultimately death.

Victims typically experience severe headaches, abdominal pain, general weakness, altered consciousness, breathing difficulties, and blurred or 'snowfield' vision following consumption of the drink. The committee urges healthcare providers in Ondo and surrounding states to remain vigilant for sudden visual impairment or unexplained metabolic acidosis in patients who have consumed local alcoholic or herbal mixtures.

Immediate resuscitation, airway management, acidosis correction, antidote administration, and urgent haemodialysis are recommended where necessary. Suspected cases must be reported to health authorities and NAFDAC.

The committee acknowledges the arrest of 15 suspects but calls for a full crackdown on informal distilleries, illegal herbal mixture blenders, and open-market distribution networks. They also demand nationwide awareness campaigns against the consumption of unlabelled, unregistered alcoholic beverages and stricter regulation of methanol supply chains to prevent its diversion into beverage production.