The Federal Government on Monday banned the consumption of local gin, popularly called Ogogoro in all parts of the country.
The
decision was sequel to deaths in Rivers and Ondo states due to food
poisoning allegedly caused by the consumption of local gin.
The
government however confirmed that the death toll in Rivers State had
risen to 38 and 18 in Ode-Irele, Ondo State, following the consumption
of local gin.
The Director-General of National Agency for Food
and Drugs Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, in his reaction to
the death of 38 persons in Rivers State, told journalists that the
recent incidents in the state and that of Ode-Irele, in Ondo State were
associated with the consumption of locally made gin.
According
to him, considering the risk in the consumption of locally made gin, it
has become imperative to “warn the public to desist from the consumption
of unregistered locally made spirits (Ogogoro) and other unregistered
bitters.”
Orhii also warned that government “would confiscate all illegally brewed alcoholic beverages” across the country.
The
NAFDAC boss also recommended “immediate reporting and evacuation to the
nearest tertiary health institution as quick intervention can save
lives.”
He said the NAFDAC team met with the Ondo State
Commissioner for Health and Director of Diagnostic Services and an
official of the World Health Organisation, who visited Ode-Irele to
obtain first hand information.
He added, “A preliminary
investigation by the National Centre for Disease Control and WHO, ruled
out any infectious diseases and confirmed the possibility of poisoning
as the cause and in turn advised NAFDAC to conduct further
investigation.
“The symptoms suffered by victims included
vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and loss
of consciousness with subsequent sudden deaths of 18 victims.”
Orhii,
who was joined by the Director of NCDC, Prof. Abdulrahman Nasidi,
explained that all indications showed that “these symptoms are the
hallmark signs of methanol poisoning.”
Credit: Friday Olokor/Punch
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