Methanol tragedy in Ondo: NMA raises alarm: 48 die, 182 are affected and five are blinded

…. Doctors call for nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol, herbal concoctions and methanol supply chains

…NAFDAC finds high methanol cannabis in ‘Monkey Tail’ blend

Daud Olatunji

The Nigerian Medical Association has raised the alarm over the growing public health crisis linked to the consumption of an unregistered alcoholic and herbal concoction popularly known as “Monkey Tail” in some parts of Ondo State.

The association said no fewer than 48 people died, while 182 others were affected, including five victims who became permanently blind and two others who suffered partial loss of vision.

The NMA, in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of its NMA-NAFDAC Liaison Committee, Dr. Azim Adekunle Ashimi, said the casualties were recorded in Odigbo, Ireland and surrounding local government areas of Ondo State.

The association said that laboratory analyzes conducted by the National Agency for the Administration and Control of Food and Drugs confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol and Cannabis indica in samples of the implicated drinks.

Describing the development as a major public health disaster, the NMA called for coordinated and decisive action by regulatory, safety and health agencies to prevent further deaths and permanent disabilities.

According to the association, methanol is an industrial solvent that is highly toxic if consumed and can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and other vital organs.

The NMA explained that methanol is converted by the liver to formic acid after ingestion, causing severe metabolic acidosis and potentially causing blindness, multiple organ failure and death.

The association warned that the symptoms could initially be confused with those of normal alcohol intoxication or other illnesses.

Warning signs requiring urgent medical attention include severe headaches, abdominal pain, general weakness, changes in consciousness, difficulty breathing, and visual disturbances, including blurred or unusual “snowfield” vision.

The NMA has therefore urged doctors and other health workers in Ondo State and adjoining areas to maintain a high level of suspicion when treating patients who develop sudden visual impairment, unexplained metabolic acidosis or alteration of consciousness after consuming alcoholic beverages or herbal concoctions.

It also advised healthcare professionals to initiate appropriate emergency management, including resuscitation and correction of metabolic acidosis, taking into consideration recognized antidotal treatment and hemodialysis where clinically indicated.

The association also urged health workers to immediately report suspected cases to the relevant health authorities and NAFDAC offices to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and monitoring.

While acknowledging the arrest of 15 suspects by security agencies in connection with the tragedy, the NMA called for a wider investigation and enforcement operation against illicit manufacturers and distributors.

It called for a global crackdown on informal distilleries, illegal herbal blenders and open market distribution networks involved in the production and circulation of unregistered alcoholic beverages.

The association also called for a sustained nationwide public education campaign that would warn Nigerians against consuming unlabelled, unregistered or locally mixed alcoholic and herbal products.

It specifically identified products sold as artisanal herbal shots, unverified bitters and locally produced alcoholic concoctions as requiring greater public scrutiny.

The NMA has also called for tighter controls on the supply chain of industrial chemicals such as methanol to prevent their diversion to use in the production of drinks for human consumption.

The association warned Nigerians against consuming alcoholic or herbal drinks whose ingredients, source and regulatory status could not be verified.

He urged anyone who develops sudden vision problems, severe headache, difficulty breathing or other unusual symptoms after consuming an alcoholic or herbal beverage to seek medical attention immediately.

The NMA said early recognition and treatment of methanol poisoning could be key to preventing serious complications, including blindness and death.

The association expressed solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in the Ondo State accident and expressed solidarity with the victims currently undergoing treatment.

It also committed to continuing collaboration with NAFDAC and state health authorities to strengthen surveillance, enforcement and public awareness.

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