The Canadian government on Thursday, September 24, warned its citizens travelling to Nigeria against consuming unregulated and adulterated alcohol, following reports of deaths linked to drinks containing high levels of methanol.
The warning was contained in an updated travel advisory published in the ‘Safety and security’ section of the travel advice and advisories for Nigeria page on the official government website.
According to the advisory, casualties have occurred due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol.
The Canadian government advised travellers to buy alcohol from reputable establishments and seek medical attention if they begin to feel unwell after consuming alcohol.
The warning comes days after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol in locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions linked to the deaths of 48 people in Ondo state.
NAFDAC also disclosed that seven victims had been rendered blind, while 182 cases of illness had been recorded as of September 17.
The agency said 15 unlabelled samples of the suspected concoctions were subjected to toxicology, chemical and microbiological examinations.
It said 11 of the 15 samples tested positive for Cannabis indica, while gas chromatography confirmed the presence of high concentrations of methanol, a toxic substance capable of causing blindness, organ failure and death.
NAFDAC further disclosed that acute oral toxicity tests conducted on six samples resulted in approximately 50 per cent mortality among laboratory mice.
It said confirmatory analyses were ongoing to determine the precise concentration of methanol and identify other possible toxic agents in the drinks.
The agency also said 15 people had been arrested in connection with the suspected production, sale and distribution of the implicated beverages.
NAFDAC warned Nigerians against consuming unlicensed, unregistered and locally prepared alcoholic or herbal concoctions of unknown composition.
The agency advised anyone who develops sudden visual disturbances, severe headache, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness after consuming such substances to seek immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Canadian travel advisory retains its broader warning for travellers to Nigeria, advising against non-essential travel to the country, including Abuja, because of what it described as the unpredictable security situation and risks of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnapping.
The advisory, however, excludes Lagos and Calabar from the non-essential travel warning, advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in the two cities.
Comments