The Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for Nigeria, warning its citizens against consuming unregulated or adulterated alcohol following a methanol poisoning outbreak that has claimed 48 lives in Ondo State.
The advisory, updated on September 21, urged travellers to purchase alcoholic drinks only from reputable establishments and to seek immediate medical attention if they become ill after drinking.
“Casualties have occurred due to the consumption of unregulated and adulterated alcohol containing high levels of methanol,” the Canadian travel advisory stated.
The warning follows an outbreak currently under investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, which confirmed 48 deaths and 182 cases of severe illness linked to contaminated alcoholic and herbal drinks in Ondo State.
According to NAFDAC, many of the affected victims suffered serious complications, including partial or complete loss of sight. The agency said 90 patients had been treated and discharged, while six remained hospitalised as of September 17.
Preliminary laboratory analysis of 15 samples of locally produced alcoholic and herbal concoctions revealed dangerously high concentrations of methanol, while 11 of the samples also tested positive for cannabis indica.
NAFDAC described the findings as “gravely concerning” and said surveillance and investigations were continuing in the affected communities, particularly in Odigbo and Irele Local Government Areas.
Canada joins the United Kingdom and Australia, which have already issued similar travel advisories urging their citizens in Nigeria to avoid alcohol from unlicensed sources and remain vigilant about drink safety.
