UNKNOWN DISEASE CLAIMS 21 LIVES IN ODIGBO WITHIN 72 HOURS

At least 21 people have reportedly died in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State following reports of an unknown illness in the area in the last 72 hours.

Sources told our correspondent that 16 of the deaths were recorded in Odigbo Township, while five others occurred in Araromi-Obu.

The cause of the deaths remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, with the state Ministry of Health and the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, alongside development partners, said to be working to determine the cause of the illness.

Reported symptoms of the illness include high fever, with some cases reportedly progressing rapidly to loss of vision and death within a short period. However, the symptoms and cause of the illness have yet to be officially established by health authorities.

An internal source within the community attributed the deaths to the consumption of methanol-contaminated drinks, while some residents linked the development to traditional beliefs, claiming that the community’s deities were angry following the recent riding of a horse into the community, an act they said was forbidden by the local culture. The claim of methanol poisoning has not been officially confirmed.

There was tension in the community as some youths reportedly threatened to embark on a mass protest to the palace of the Orunja of Odigbo over the development.

Our correspondent gathered that personnel of the Amotekun Security Network had been mobilised to provide security around the palace and protect the monarch amid the growing tension.

Efforts to speak with Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, the Executive Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area; the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka; and Dr. Olarenwaju Gbadamosi, the Director of Primary Health Care in the council, were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls placed to their phones.

However, earlier information gathered indicated that Dr. Adiji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, led a team of surveillance and public health specialists to the community on Sunday to obtain firsthand information and interview youths in the community.

Ondo State Ministry of Health and State PHCDA authorities have yet to officially confirm the number of deaths, the cause of the illness, or whether the reported cases are connected.

Residents are advised to avoid consuming suspected or unverified alcoholic drinks and to report anyone showing symptoms of an unexplained illness to the nearest health facility while investigations continue.