Ondo's Irele mysterious disease: Toxicology tests create more confusion
The strange ailment ravaging Irele community in Nigeria's Ondo state is yet to abate.
Yesterday, medical authorities in the state conducted toxicology tests but the result is not cheerful. It was discovered that the yet-ascertained disease has not exhibited any known characteristics to any known micro organism, whether virus or bacteria.
This development is fuelling earlier fears stoked by community elders that the outbreak is caused by an angry deity scandalised by the desecration of its shrine by uninitiated people.
Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the worrisome development arose due to exposure to harmful pesticides, this position has not doused the fire of this story. The confusion worsened when WHO denied making this declaration.
The plot thickens after federal ministry of health warns that the disease arose from consumption of a local gin; the contents of the brew are said to be unwittingly laced with ethanol-inducing chemicals during production. Ondo state has commenced sensitisation measures in the state aimed at stopping consumption of the alcohol among the community.
What is however clear, is that the afflicted individual gets severe headache and subsequently, dies within 24 hours or at worst, two days later. Eighteen people have died already from the still-unknown scourge.
Yesterday, medical authorities in the state conducted toxicology tests but the result is not cheerful. It was discovered that the yet-ascertained disease has not exhibited any known characteristics to any known micro organism, whether virus or bacteria.
This development is fuelling earlier fears stoked by community elders that the outbreak is caused by an angry deity scandalised by the desecration of its shrine by uninitiated people.
Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the worrisome development arose due to exposure to harmful pesticides, this position has not doused the fire of this story. The confusion worsened when WHO denied making this declaration.
The plot thickens after federal ministry of health warns that the disease arose from consumption of a local gin; the contents of the brew are said to be unwittingly laced with ethanol-inducing chemicals during production. Ondo state has commenced sensitisation measures in the state aimed at stopping consumption of the alcohol among the community.
What is however clear, is that the afflicted individual gets severe headache and subsequently, dies within 24 hours or at worst, two days later. Eighteen people have died already from the still-unknown scourge.
