The Ondo Government has banned the production and
consumption of locally-made gin, commonly called ‘ogogoro’ in the state. The
state Commissioner for Health, Dayo Akinyanju, announced this at a news
conference in Akure on Saturday.
“Our
clinical analysis reveals the fact that there were no known viruses, while
toxicology reports have confirmed our prime suspicion of methanol poisoning.
“We
have reviewed our strategies and embarked on sensitisation to let people know
that locally-made gin is prohibited.
“We
will also embark on searches because this batch of methanol-containing gin must
have gone round because four cases: two alive and two dead have been found in
Odigbo Local Government Area,” he said.
Mr.
Akinyanju said stakeholders such as religious leaders, transporters, youths,
market women, and the relevant association would be informed of the development.
He
said, “We will start with the entire South Senatorial District, then move to
the Central Senatorial District.
According
to the commissioner, the unknown disease has so far claimed 23 lives with 10
other people receiving treatment.
“Two
of them have regained their sights and are back home.
“We
appeal to the general public to desist from drinking the gin until we are able
to identify the source of contamination or find out how the methanol got into
the drinks,’ he said.
The
commissioner said that the state government was working closely with the
National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control and the National
Orientation Agency to sensitise members of the public to the dangers of
consuming such drinks.
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