Unidentified fast killing disease appears in Nigeria

[panopticon]

I've been reading reports from the Ondo region in Nigeria of an as yet unidentified disease.

It's being reported as having an incredibly fast progression from first symptoms showing to death of 24 hours.

Deaths reported so far vary from 14 to 28 but because it is so fast these differences could be a matter of 12-24 hour.

It does not have the same symptoms etc as Ebola.

Any more information on this disease could members please add to this thread (with links if available).

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Mysterious disease that kills patients within 24 hours leaves at least 17 dead in Nigeria (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-18/mysterious-disease-in-nigeria-kills-17/6403558)
AFP, 18th April 2015

A mysterious disease that kills patients within 24 hours has claimed at least 17 lives in a south-eastern Nigerian town, the government has said.

"Seventeen people have died of the mysterious disease since it broke out early this week in Ode-Irele town," said Ondo state government spokesman Kayode Akinmade.

The disease, symptoms of which include headache, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, killed the victims within 24 hours of their falling ill, he said.

Laboratory tests have so far ruled out Ebola or any other virus, Mr Akinmade added.

The World Health Organization said it had information on 14 cases with at least 12 dead.

"Common symptoms were sudden blurred vision, headache, loss of consciousness followed by death, occurring within 24 hours," spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.

Mr Akinmade said health officials and experts from the government and aid agencies, as well as WHO epidemiologists, had arrived in Ode-Irele.

"Outside a total of 17 deaths recorded, in the past 72 hours we have not recorded new cases," he said.

"There is no patient of the disease in any hospital and the disease has not spread beyond the town."

Mr Jasarevic said blood and urine samples had been taken from two victims and cerebrospinal fluid from another.

"All samples have been sent to Lagos University Teaching Hospital this morning, and results are still pending. Investigations are still ongoing," he said.

Source (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-18/mysterious-disease-in-nigeria-kills-17/6403558)

[panopticon]

Ondo Strange Disease: Govt sets up emergency response teams, situation room (http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/181623-ondo-strange-disease-govt-sets-up-emergency-response-teams-situation-room.html)
Premium Times. 18th April, 2015.

http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/04/548x421xScreen-Shot-2015-04-16-at-9.09.27-PM.png.pagespeed.ic.K9Pa1i4oY1.png

In its effort at containing the spread of the strange illness ravaging the Ode Irele community of the state, the Ondo state government has set up emergency task teams and a Situation Room to coordinate the response teams working from the frontlines.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dayo Adeyanju, said in a statement Friday that five emergency response task teams have been raised to handle different aspects of control mechanisms.

The task teams are:

1. Contact Tracing Committee – the committee is already tracing and establishing contacts with those already exposed to patients or dead bodies and monitoring them for possible manifestation of any of the symptoms.

2. Case Management Committee – this is made up of health personnel and volunteers already trained to attend to medical emergencies of this nature. They are to ensure safe and proper management of new and existing cases of the illness. They are required to also train health workers in Irele.

3. Laboratory/Forensic Committee – to establish the etiological/causative agent for the strange illness and ensure safe disposal of corpses.

4. Community Education & Mobilization Committee – intensify mass education and sensitization of the community and the state in a way that will not constitute public health hazard.

5. Print, Electronic & Social Media Sensitization Committee – to make progress report of unfolding developments available in a timely manner to the world to dispel rumours that may lead to widespread panic and fear.

Mr. Adeyanju added, “These and other measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives of our dear people of Irele. Let us continue to exercise calm and caution and eschew fear mongering as there is manifest evidence that the situation is being contained.

“In case of any suspected case, contact: WHO 08033720966, LGA DSNO – 08112524793 and the State Epidemiologist – 08062078384.”

The Ondo State Government is working hard to control a strange disease which suddenly broke out in the Ode-Irele community of Ondo state, leading to the death of no fewer than 28 people in the past three days.

Residents say the disease broke out three days ago and spread rapidly around the community, killing its victim within 24 hours.

The cause of the disease remained unknown.

Experts say preliminary reports from victims revealed neurologic clinical symptoms: blindness, and loss of consciousness.

Ebola Alert, an evidence-driven group of volunteer professionals who helped with the Ebola Virus Disease interventions in the country, said 28 people have died from the disease.

But the State Health Commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, put the number of dead victims at 12.

Mr. Adeyanju, while briefing newsmen in Akure, said preliminary investigations showed that the disease is not Ebola “as it does not manifest any of its symptoms, but it attacks the central nervous system of the victims”.

He said the state government, after getting information on the disease, immediately deployed officials who took samples from victims which was sent to Lagos for laboratory analysis to help understand the nature of the disease.

Mr. Adeyanju, who warned against spreading false information on social media, said the government is on top of the situation, and advised people in the council area to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility.

He assured that the government is also doing its best to contain the disease from further spreading out of the town while those infected were being quarantined at the General Hospital, Irele, with other patients moved out of the facility.

The Health Commissioner also advised people of the area to avoid handling dead bodies at this period to help contain further spread of the disease.

A journalist who visited the affected community Thursday said he was told by residents that the ailment had spiritual undertone.

“Community leaders said some people broke into a shrine, and the god became angry with them, striking all those people who have hands in the act,” the journalist said, asking not to be named.

“Our team also saw people performing rituals in the community. They believe that the ritual will appease the god and that the disease will end.”

But the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said he was not aware of any spiritual dimension to the development.

“All I can tell you is that medical experts are on ground, attending to victims and doing all the necessary tests. Government is working hard to contain the disease, and I can tell you that it is under control,” Mr. Akinmade told PREMIUM TIMES.

Ebola Alert later posted an update on its twitter handle on Thursday night saying the disease is under control and that its cause was being investigated.

The organisation said the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, and the National Centre for Disease Control had been alerted of the outbreak.

Source (http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/181623-ondo-strange-disease-govt-sets-up-emergency-response-teams-situation-room.html)

[pyrangello]

Thanks for all the updates Pan, much appreciated!

[panopticon]

Twitter chat with State Health Commissioner, Dr Dayo Adeyanju occurring atm :
https://twitter.com/hashtag/ireleoutbreak?f=realtime&src=hash

-- Pan

[Carmody]

Fast moving fast killing is what is desired to take place, if one has to deal with an infectious agent. It is the most favorable scenario.

Slow moving with a long gestation and high communicability is the worst.

The fast moving fast killing one can easily be seen, and effectively stopped.

Reading the data, we see weight loss, which is indicative of a gestation period of sort. Which means not fast and not fast killing.

Which, as data goes... begins the process of putting such a thing on the scary side of the potentials.

[Snowflower]

Only one red flag: "weight loss" as a symptom of a disease that kills in one day?

[Bob]

This does sound like a nerve agent, tho i wouldn't rule out bacteriological or fungal. A LOT of viral happens tho, not sure why they have ruled such out ATM. I will ask my associates in Lagos, and Delta State.

[panopticon]

Fast moving fast killing is what is desired to take place, if one has to deal with an infectious agent. It is the most favorable scenario.

Slow moving with a long gestation and high communicability is the worst.

The fast moving fast killing one can easily be seen, and effectively stopped.

Reading the data, we see weight loss, which is indicative of a gestation period of sort. Which means not fast and not fast killing.

Which, as data goes... begins the process of putting such a thing on the scary side of the potentials.

Agree.

Kills before infecting others. Disease doesn't get passed on & disappears or mutates.

Seems this is being reported as not being contagious and effecting mostly males.

In addition Adeyanju was saying that there isn't any link between the infected.

Most peculiar. Not contagious yet no link between deceased (so not an easy link between food etc ingested).

-- Pan

[Bob]

OK, just got off the horn with folks in Warri, a few hours drive from the area affected.. The story goes, someone dug up a corpse and the contagion appeared from that contact. - That is the 'story'... I mentioned the nerve agent hypothesis, and it was like OMG.. hadn't thought that could have happened (with the 'story' being it's a disease of some kind..)..

With the new regime having removed GoodLuck Jonathan, the new political leader was a General, military, the opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari .

Do nerve agents and military go hand 'n hand? Dunno, but I was told, they will keep me informed as to what 'disease' has been affecting that group. If I hear more from "feet on the ground" I'll post. Thanks for the post Pan.

--Bob

[panopticon]

OK, just got off the horn with folks in Warri, a few hours drive from the area affected.. The story goes, someone dug up a corpse and the contagion appeared from that contact. - That is the 'story'... I mentioned the nerve agent hypothesis, and it was like OMG.. hadn't thought that could have happened (with the 'story' being it's a disease of some kind..)..

With the new regime having removed GoodLuck Jonathan, the new political leader was a General, military, the opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari .

Do nerve agents and military go hand 'n hand? Dunno, but I was told, they will keep me informed as to what 'disease' has been affecting that group. If I hear more from "feet on the ground" I'll post. Thanks for the post Pan.

--Bob

Thanks Bob.

It's a very interesting case this one.

The transmission of power from Goodluck Jonathon was very smooth and I'm not sure about any instability in the Odon region.

Maybe a test, but that's conjecture until more information is available...

There are a number of hypothesis floating around including Methanol poisoning. My view is this seems to be a case of matching symptoms rather than anything concrete.

Hopefully there will be more information when the lab results come back in a day or so.

-- Pan

[Cidersomerset]

There was a couple basic articles on yesterdays headline page....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mystery disease claims 18 lives in southeast Nigeria

Sunday 19th April 2015 at 06:35 By David Icke


PRESS TV.....


http://217.218.67.233/photo/20150418/c6e2fe69-1acb-419b-b828-1204e8a6cf53.jpg


‘At least 18 people have been killed in a southeastern Nigerian town due to a
“mysterious” disease which kills in less than 24 hours, government says.

“Twenty-three people (were affected) and 18 deaths were recorded,” AFP quoted
the Ondo state health commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, as saying on Saturday.

Earlier in the day a government spokesman, Kayode Akinmade, had put the
number of casualties at 17, saying that the mysterious disease broke out early
this week in Ode-Irele town.’

Akinmad added that all the victims perished within a day of falling ill and that
Ebola or any other known virus has so far been ruled out as the cause by
Laboratory tests, noting, "There is no patient of the disease in any hospital
and the disease has not spread beyond the town."

He added that apart from government experts and health officials, World Health
Organization (WHO) epidemiologists had also arrived in the town for further investigation.

WHO has confirmed having information on 14 cases and 12 deaths.

"Common symptoms were sudden blurred vision, headache, loss of consciousness
followed by death, occurring within 24 hours," said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic,
adding that an investigation was currently underway.

Urine, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples had been taken from victims, he added.
"All samples have been sent to Lagos University Teaching Hospital this morning, and
results are still pending. Investigations are still ongoing"

SRK/NT/AS



Read more: Mystery disease claims 18 lives in southeast Nigeria

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/04/18/406940/Mystery-disease-claims-17-in-Nigeria


==========================================================

http://static.bbci.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/2.83.4/orb/4/img/bbc-blocks-dark.png

'Mystery disease' kills 18 in Nigeria - officials


18 April 2015

From the section Africa


map
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/82413000/png/_82413854_nigeriaondo4640415.png


A "mysterious" disease has killed at least 18 people in the past several
days in south-eastern Nigeria, local officials say.

The outbreak started in the Ode-Irele town, Ondo state, and spread rapidly.

The disease - characterised by blurred vision, headache and loss of
consciousness - killed the victims within 24 hours of falling ill.

Local health officials and World Health Organization experts are now
in the town to try to identify the disease.

Laboratory tests have so far ruled out Ebola or any other virus, Ondo
government spokesman Kayode Akinmade was quoted as saying by
the AFP news agency.



He described the illness as "mysterious".

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told AFP that all of those affected started
showing symptoms between 13-15 April.

The unidentified disease appears to be attacking the central nervous system,
state health commissioner Dayo Adeyanju told Nigeria's Premium Times.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-32365830

[hohoemi]

The newest theory is that the cause for the disease was a pesticide, as no viral or bacterial infection was found so far.

sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/pesticide-nigeria-mystery-disease-150419131544128.html
http://news.yahoo.com/weedkiller-likely-cause-nigeria-mystery-disease-110011197.html

[Hervé]

Are these writers copying each others ever confused:


Weedkiller likely cause of Nigeria’s ‘mystery disease': WHO (http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/weedkiller-likely-cause-of-nigerias-mystery-disease-who/)

Agence France-Presse (http://www.rawstory.com/author/agencefrance-presse/) 19 Apr 2015 at 08:18 ET (http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/19/)


Pesticide poisoning was the likely cause...


Pesticide the likely cause of Nigeria 'mystery disease' (http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/04/pesticide-nigeria-mystery-disease-150419131544128.html)

WHO says weedkiller was the likely cause of deaths in the southwestern Nigerian town.

19 Apr 2015 13:46 GMT | Health (http://www.aljazeera.com/topics/categories/health.html)


Weedkiller likely cause of Nigeria 'mystery disease': WHO (http://news.yahoo.com/weedkiller-likely-cause-nigeria-mystery-disease-110011197.html)

Geneva (AFP) - Pesticide poisoning was the likely cause...

Whether pesticide or herbicide, they all are right about one thing though (not mentioned in their article, of course) and that is that it's all Monsanto's fault either way:



http://www.sott.net/image/s12/240770/full/0_18196038_303_00.jpg

[Flash]

Glycophase = Monsanto.

Did we need Africa to tell us it is Deadly? While its representative say we can drink it?

I do not believe those last news anyhow.

[Alkhemist]

Am I the only one who suspects it's someone's government testing biological weapons?

I don't have any proof, however -- this is just what comes to mind based on all the other stuff I've read about what has been done in Africa to Africans.

[Bob]

some more data..

From FluTrackers website, which tends to keep up on outbreaks around the world...

sudden blurred vision, headache, loss of consciousness followed by death - symptoms consistent with methanol poisoning..

(Source (https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/africa/emerging-diseases-other-health-threats-ah/729398-ondo-nigeria-27-die-of-unidentified-disease-emergency-situation-room-activated-april-17-2015-possible-undetermined-poisoning/page3))

suggested patient history - all consumed alcohol prior to symptoms. (suggesting contaminated alcohol). From post 39

Post 37 cites HERBICIDE toxicity from spraying in the area recently. (not pesticide toxicity)

Post 40 suggests that those who exhumed the body (to take the head for a ritual), had 'protected themselves' by consuming some herbs from a local herbalist outside of the community..
(back to the poisoning hypothesis), possibly "Calabar Bean as Ordeal Poison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physostigma_venenosum)"


Calabar bean contains physostigmine, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor alkaloid. The alkaloid physostigmine acts in effect like nerve gas,[1] influencing communication between the nerves and muscles, and resulting in copious salivation, seizures, loss of control over the bladder and bowels, and eventually loss of control over the respiratory system, causing death by asphyxiation.

That seems to match my thoughts about the symptoms appear to act like a nerve agent poison..

Possibly compounded toxins ingested by the 'kids' who exhumed the body?

The 'pesticide' (not herbicide) hypothesis came out of a WHO statement, apparently a report generated at WHO getting the HERBICIDE hypothesis issued by the Nigerian government wrong. In a contradictory WHO spokesman statement (tweet)
The "current hypothesis is cause of the event is herbicides", WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in a Tweet.

This was the government statement:


Ondo Deaths Likely Caused by Herbicides - By Paul Obi in Abuja and Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta. The Federal Government has said deaths claimed to have resulted from an unknown disease in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State may have been caused by poisoning from herbicides used in the area.

Some statements from the Nigerian Health Commissioner:


The commissioner, who said there had been no report of new cases in the last three days, explained that 23 people were affected out of which 18 people died of the disease.
He disclosed that the five survivors, who have currently gone blind, had been referred to the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, for further examination and monitoring.

Blindness from consumption of methanol is consistent.

Was there a situation of bad herbs, drinking methanol? Drinking Herbicide? or consuming Herbs saturated with Herbicides?

Possibly any or all of the above, or there could be something still covered up, an actual nerve agent being tested on a small group.

[Morbid]

seems like they still do experiments there..

[panopticon]

Text of speech given by Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the State of Ondo (predates herbicide/pesticide hypothesis).

###

Irele Outbreak - Full Text of Mr. Governor’s Address to the State (http://ondostatemoh.gov.ng/featured.php?featurednews=11#disqus_thread)
17th April 2014

http://pragmalab.ondostatemoh.gov.ng/newsimage/8bcacee280b5e77d5ad5f8020e2b5072.jpg

My dear good people of Ondo State.

We have witnessed in the last few days a major health challenge. A yet to be named ailment whose causative agents, diagnosis and cure are also yet to be determined struck in locations in Irele Local Government Area of our State, killing 17 people and stoking panic and fear.

I am, like you, saddened by this losses and the attendant fear of what looks like an epidemic. I can only bring words of consolation to the families of the deceased and words of comfort and assurances to the good people of our dear State. Our prayer at this hour is that God grants rest to the dead and fortitude to the living.

Fellow citizens, we have as a government taken all necessary and available actions to respond to this health crisis.

Amidst conflicting and confusing information, the investigating team of experts sent by government to the area gathered that all the casualties died within hours of affliction. In all, 17 deaths have been confirmed in Ayadi Community and Ode Irele township and all the deaths were preceded by symptoms of sudden blurred vision, headache and loss of consciousness.

It must be said that the team was despatched to the communities affected and the General Hospital as well as other health facilities, to gather needed information about the nature, scope and circumstances of the outbreak.

Key informants interview, hospital record search and patient interview were used to obtain information.

I must state that the symptoms in this situation are not peculiar to any known epidemic and so have remained largely confounding. Specifically, it must be stressed, the symptoms observed in the two communities of Ayadi and Ode Irele bear no resemblance to those associated with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Our investigations thus far have been in conjunction with our development partner, the World Health Organisation, WHO, and report sent to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). As we speak, there are no new cases reported in the last 48 hours and none presently in the hospital.

We have deployed trained volunteers for active surveillance and case management should the need arise. Also, advocacy and sensitisation efforts are ongoing in print and on electronic media. I urge you all to report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or call the telephone numbers being announced on our radio and television stations. I am hopeful that with the combined efforts of all, final and definite solution will just be a matter of days.

In the meantime, Cerebro Spinal fluid, Blood and Urine specimens have been taken for examination. These specimens have been cultured and examined and the preliminary results show that no known viral infection has been detected. We have further ordered toxicology test.

We have commenced active surveillance through the Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer.

We await final laboratory results to be able to fully apprehend and finally surmount this challenge. We use this opportunity to appeal to citizens and residents to report any suspicious case with blurring of vision, incoherence or related symptoms to the nearest health facilities.

Dear compatriots, these times require vigilance, love and unity of purpose. These times require care and circumspection. Above all, these times demand strict adherence to hygienic ways of life. Such little things as regular washing of hands, covering of mouths while sneezing can go a long way to ensure healthy living.

I have directed that the information management team set up for the purpose of gathering facts and responding to questions be available all day and brief the public twice everyday until the disease is contained.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Source (http://ondostatemoh.gov.ng/featured.php?featurednews=11#disqus_thread)

[panopticon]

Here's a classic example of control being exerted. It's brilliant and while transparent to most external observers (ie those from different cultures) it is the same techniques as those used in so-called "developed countries" (though based on different gods such as consumerism/capitalism, Hebrew/Roman gods etc).

While reading this, remember that the first reported case was on Monday the 13th of April...

I guess it's a case of: Never let the truth get in the way of opportunity...

###

Ondo Strange Disease: Community leader explains "mystery" behind deaths (http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181650-ondo-strange-disease-community-leader-explains-mystery-behind-deaths.html)
18th April 2015

http://thecable.thecable.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Ode-Irele.jpg

A local chief in Ondo State has explained the “mystery” behind a strange and unknown killer disease that has ravaged a town in the state, killing at least 14 people.

The community leader, Moses Enimade, the Oyewoga of Ode Irele in Ondo State, said the disease came as punishment for the “sacrilege” committed against Molokun, the local deity in the area.

Mr. Enimade, next in command to the Oba, Cornelius Olanrewaju-Lebi, stated this in Irele on Saturday.

No fewer than 14 people have died of severe headaches and blindness in the town recently.

There have been no explanation for the disease. Victims have tested negative to Ebola, the deadly and incurable virus that killed thousands across West Africa, including Nigeria.

Mr. Enimade debunked the rumour that the deaths were caused by strange disease or Ebola virus.

Mr. Enimade said some stubborn youth broke into the inner room of the Molokun shrine on April 15.

“Molokun is a deity of the land,” he said. “Only the Chief Priest and High Chief Gboguron are qualified to enter the shrine.”

The chief said the youth entered the shrine and made away with traditional items in a bid to acquire extra-ordinary powers and engage in money ritual.

“They were not qualified to enter the (shrine),” he said. “They had to face the death penalty.”

The Oyewoga said he could not remember the last time Molokun or any other gods had to strike like this in the area.

According to him, there is no community or town without its own culture and tradition. He said what happened in Irele was the judgement of the gods on the youth.

“Even the Kabiesi himself is not permitted to enter the Molokun Shrine’s inner room except the Chief Priest and High Chief Gboguron. Sacrifice must be performed before they can enter.

“Because these youths want to be rich at all costs, they entered the sacred place and made away with traditional items and 20 of them have died as a result of their desperate acts,” he said. “We have to appease the gods or else many will still die and we have to bury them according to tradition. Their corpses belong to the gods and will be exhumed if buried by their families.”

He restated that the deaths were not caused by diseases or Ebola as widely speculated.

“The death caused by Molokun is characterised by severe headache and blindness,” he said. “Proverbs 29:1 in the Bible say: `He that had been reproved and hardened his neck shall suddenly be destroyed without remedy; so youths of nowadays must be careful.’”

Some residents appealed to the chief priest to make the necessary atonement to avert calamity in the town.

They said news of the deaths had given the town and state a bad name.

Sheed Osuolale said he was afraid when the news broke.

Esther Bantefa said the news had given the town and the state a bad name. She said the chief priest should as a matter of urgency perform necessary rituals.

“Our people in Lagos and other towns called us to get information if it was Ebola outbreak,” she said.

Tayo Akinyelure said parents should warn their children against going near shrines.

“Many youths do not believe in all these traditions and customs,” Mrs. Akinyelure said. “It is high time parents warned their children against committing sacrilege.”

(NAN)

Source (http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181650-ondo-strange-disease-community-leader-explains-mystery-behind-deaths.html)

[panopticon]

In relation to the ethanol/herbicide/pesticide hypothesis being promoted in the MSM, Ebola Alert (a Nigerian NGO) tweeted:


We've spoken with colleagues (Nigerian CDC), there is no confirmation of ethanol nor herbicides.
Source (https://twitter.com/EbolaAlert/status/589885027615375361)
Whether this means that there is more testing required or not it shows how the MSM is used to calm a situation with nothing more than an hypothesis.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Ebola Alert notified on the 17th the following:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCz9brRWgAIsMRb.png

That is why the possibility of (m)ethanol, herbicide, pesticide in the samples from the dead is being examined as poisoning appears the most likely explanation.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

Just to fill in some of the blanks to do with this.

From a statement given by the Health Commissioner:


According to the commissioner, preliminary report showed ethanol poison found in the systems of all the victims.

“Our investigations revealed that the victims, who are commercial motorcyclists, gathered at some local joints to take alcoholic substance mixed with roots and some other local herbs on the eve of the outbreak of the disease.

“I can assure you that the disease is in no way contagious. The fact that none of the caregivers has contracted the disease has greatly underscored this point.

“Therefore, the fear of spread does not arise and should be discouraged.

“We strongly suspect ethanol poison and in view of this, we have ordered for another toxicology test for surviving victims,” Mr. Adeyanju said.

Source (http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/181703-ondo-strange-disease-not-contagious-initial-results-show-ethanol-poisoning-official.html)
Waiting for a confirmation statement.

Strange that the Nigerian CDC said to Ebola Alert that there wasn't any evidence to say it was ethanol related after Dr Dayo Adeyanju is quoted as saying it was.

-- Pan

[panopticon]

At a press conference Dr. Akinola Fatiregun is reported as having just said that while they are still waiting for test results all indicators are that the deaths occurred as a result of consuming a locally brewed gin.

It is also reported that he made it clear that reports of pesticide or herbicide poisoning did not originate from WHO Nigeria.

Source (https://twitter.com/DrDayoAdeyanju/with_replies)

-- Pan

[panopticon]

From the OdonTV FB page a brief description of the latest press conference.

###

Ondo Govt Wants Residents To Stop Drinking Alcohol (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=829442360437270#)
20th April 2015

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDCHch5VIAA_n9n.jpg

Ondo state government has warned against the consumption of local gin, known as ogogoro following discovery that victims of the Irele strange disease could have died from possible methanol poisoning after consuming the drink.

The state health commissioner, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, who gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the Irele update alongside his information counterpart, Kayode Akinmade, at the governor's office in Akure said the casualty figure remains 18 dead and 5 receiving treatment at UCH, Ibadan.

Dr Adeyanju said government has begun sensitisation on why people should avoid taking all manner of local gin at this period since its still difficult to trace the source of the alcholic substance taken by some of the Ode irele victims.

He said the state government is on top of the situation assuring that the final report on the investigations into the mysterious deaths, especially the toxicology test would soon be made public.

Also speaking at the briefing, the state coordinator of WHO, Dr Akinola Fatigerun dissociated the organisation from its earlier reports that the victims died from pesticide but methanol poisoning.

Source (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=829442360437270#)

[Mini Flash]

We will only hear this on the canadian (where I come from) and americain news if this disease comes to our continent.. It's sad that most people don't care if it doesn't affect them.

[panopticon]

Unidentified disease outbreak not infectious - Minister of Health assures Nigerians (http://www.afro.who.int/en/media-centre/pressreleases/item/7576-unidentified-disease-outbreak-not-infectious-minister-of-health-assures-nigerians.html)

http://www.afro.who.int/media/k2/items/cache/5151d7c8133875e190575c1c173a385d_M.jpg
Minister of State for Health flanked by the Director of Public Health and the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria

Abuja, 20 April 2015 - The Minister of State for Health, Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo has debunked the rumors of unidentified disease outbreak which is attributed to 19 deaths since 15th April 2015, out of 24 reported cases. He further provided insights on the causes of illness and sudden deaths in two communities of Irele, Local Government Area (LGA) in Ondo State of Nigeria.

On 15th April when the disease was first reported, health officials from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), government agencies (including the Nigeria Center for Disease Control) and experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) were deployed to Irele, LGA in south-western Nigeria to investigate rumors of the unidentified disease outbreak.

The Minister in his speech at a press briefing held at the conference hall of the FMOH in Abuja on Monday 20 April, also disclosed that as at the time of the briefing “no new cases have been reported in the past 100 hours and no related mortality in the last 72 hours. We therefore believe that the situation is under control”.

He also stated that preliminary epidemiological and laboratory investigations indicate that the disease is not attributed to any infectious disease.

According to the Minister, “epidemiological findings indicate a strong linkage of the outbreak with the consumption of local gin that might have been contaminated with methanol”. He however added that laboratory investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Nwankwo requested the journalists to use their media outfits to create more awareness and encourage the public to remain calm but vigilant and continue to report any events of public health concern to the nearest health authorities.

Also speaking at the press briefing, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Rui Gama Vaz commended the Ondo state government for the rapid response and the immediate deployment of its epidemiological structure to investigate and mitigate the situation.

Dr Vaz assured the Minister and the public that “WHO will continue to provide technical support to the FMOH and related agencies, to strengthen surveillance at community level for early case identification; the associated risk factors and to create awareness to avert similar situations in future”.

Available records showed that the reported cases were among males, between the ages of 20 and 75 years old. Equally, 71% had history of having consumed locally brewed gin and were farmers. Symptoms of the unidentified disease include sudden blurred vision, headache, and loss of consciousness followed by death, all occurring within 24 hours of onset.

Source (http://www.afro.who.int/en/media-centre/pressreleases/item/7576-unidentified-disease-outbreak-not-infectious-minister-of-health-assures-nigerians.html)

[panopticon]

Here's a really good report from France News 24 reporter Brenna Daldorph.

In the article both the local community information officer and a pastor (originally from the village) give a better indication of the local environ.

What I'm unsure about with all this is that the information coming out (via State agencies) seems to be all over the place.

Also, 70% of those "infected" had a history of drinking "ogogoro" [the locally distilled gin]? What does that even mean? Is it a history of heavy drinking or just of consumption? When did they drink it? Is there any evidence that was the cause of the "illness"? What about the other 30%? Where they teatotalers? Occasional drinkers?

Just weird information that just seems to be designed to defuse a situation.

Anyhow, here's the France 24 article.

###

Nigerians seek answer for ‘mysterious’ deadly illness (http://observers.france24.com/content/20150420-nigeria-disease-mysterious-ondo-irele-alcohol)
France News 24. 20th April 2015

http://observers.france24.com/files/imagecache/observers_520_220/article_images/water-bucket-main.jpg
Women in Ode Irele carry water to the Malokun shrine as part of an atonement and sacrifice ritual to local gods after a strange ailment claimed many lives in the town last week,
(Photo from the Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/olademehin.tayo) of Olademehin Tayo, Community Information Officer).

Last week, at least 23 people fell ill with a ‘mysterious’ illness in Ode Irele, Nigeria. Eighteen of those people died and panic ensued. Many locals had a theory—that the sickness was the result of an injustice committed against a local goddess. Thanks to a quick and thoughtful response, however, local health authorities seem close to solving the mystery.

When news first broke of the sudden deaths of over a dozen people in Ode Irele in Ondo State last Wednesday, people initially panicked that Ebola had popped up in Nigeria, especially when fake photos starting circulating of a man with a ghastly rash. Preliminary results quickly established that the illness was not Ebola, not a virus, not contagious and not an infection.

On Sunday, a spokesman for the World Health organization, Gregory Härtl, tweeted that the likely cause was herbicide poisoning (http://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=10862&title=WHO,-Ondo-govt.-differ-on-cause-of-mystery-disease).

However, on Monday, when questioned, the spokesman told FRANCE 24 that alcohol poisoning may be “another possibility.”

In the meantime, many local people responded to the panic by paying homage to a local goddess who they believe lashed out after a robbery in her temple occurred last week.

http://observers.france24.com/files/obs_article_images/cropped520_10460476_870493626343909_6217943307739071100_n.jpg
Locals participate in a ceremony honoring a local goddess on April 16, 2015 after the series of strange deaths in Ode-Irele.
(Photo from the Facebook account (http://www.facebook.com/olademehin.tayo) of Olademehin Tayo, Community Information Officer).

“Most of the local people, including my family, believe that the illness is happening because someone disrespected the goddess”

Adekanmi Igbekele is a pastor who grew up in Ode-Irele. He recently learned that a member of his extended family was one of the victims of the disease.


My relative who fell ill was a young man with a family. He was a subsistence farmer, like most people in Ode-Irele and he grew yams and cassava. Suddenly, last week, he got sick and died. Like other people with the illness, it was very fast— headache, blindness and next thing he is dead, within two days.

Because of the strange circumstances of his death, he did not have a normal funeral. Instead, his body was simply placed in the bush, which is local custom for any ‘strange’ death.

‘If you don’t eat an evil thing, you won’t die an evil death’

I would estimate that 70 percent of local people are animists. Most people have small shrines to local gods in their homes. In the centre of town, there is a temple to Malokun, a goddess said to protect the city. Most local people, including my family, believed that the illness struck because someone disrespected the goddess and she was fighting back. There are many rules around this temple—for example, a funeral cannot pass in front of it. Local priests say that certain items from the temple were stolen and that this was punishment (http://www.punchng.com/special-feature/our-deity-responsible-for-deaths-irele-chief/)
http://observers.france24.com/files/obs_article_images/11022547_539684089505416_4672120142103082287_n_1.jpg
This photo shows the Malokun shrine in Ode-Irele (Photo from Malokun Ode-Irele People - MOIP Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Malokun-Ode-Irele-People-MOIP/422662177874275?fref=photo))

In our language, we have a saying “If you don’t eat an evil thing, you won’t die an evil death.” So people think that those who died did something to anger the gods. The result? People didn't take any health precautions because they didn’t think it was health-related. Personally, I don’t believe in these things, but I know they are ancient beliefs.
“Six or seven sick people were being hidden by their families”

Paiwo Oni is a spokesperson for the Ondo state Health Ministry. He said that, at first, it was hard to convince families with sick relatives to come forward because they were afraid of being stigmatised by the community.


We immediately launched a big advocacy campaign, reaching out to community leaders (http://www.ondoevents.com/irele-monarch-in-ondo-debunks-rumour-of-ebola/) to ask them to tell people to seek help and not be ashamed of this illness. Luckily, it worked. We talked and people listened. They realized that the sick people were not those involved in the temple break-in. Six or seven sick people were being hidden by their families. They came out during the weekend and are now in hospital.

http://observers.france24.com/files/obs_article_images/cropped520_11033393_871560312903907_1359692244413027451_n.jpg

http://observers.france24.com/files/obs_article_images/cropped520_10982284_871560426237229_7091325706144916684_n.jpg
A Team of medical experts visted the town to try to unravel the mystery of ONDO X.
(Photo from the Facebook account (http://www.facebook.com/olademehin.tayo) of Olademehin Tayo, Community Information Officer).

“We are advising people to avoid alcohol”

“We are currently running toxicology tests on samples. There are several possibilities but we suspect that the cause could be a local brew, made from ethanol and mixed with herbs.

For now, we are advising people to avoid all alcoholic drinks as well as maintaining good hygiene and washing hands. Also, we have told people to stop using pesticides and, if they do, they should notify us. However, we really don’t believe this is the issue.

On Monday, FRANCE 24 spoke with Ondo State Minister of Health Dalu Adeyanju, who is in charge of the investigation. He said: “We are still awaiting toxicology results, but the clinical findings are in keeping with the idea that this was ethanol poisoning. If you look at the symptoms, including optical nerve damage, they are classic.”

According to Dr. Adeyanju, it was confirmed that 70 percent of those affected had consumed alcohol before falling ill. He was unable to confirm for the other 30% .

His hypothesis is that it was “probably local gin; someone put in ethanol to increase alcohol content”.

Written with FRANCE 24 journalist Brenna Daldorph (https://twitter.com/brennad87) and contributed to by Adekanmi Igbekele and Paiwo Oni.

Source (http://observers.france24.com/content/20150420-nigeria-disease-mysterious-ondo-irele-alcohol)

[panopticon]

Mysterious ailment in Nigeria kills victims within hours; 18 dead (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/19/africa/nigeria-mystery-illness/)
By Jethro Mullen, Annie Ramos, and Josh Levs, CNN. 20th April, 2015

A mysterious affliction has killed as many as 18 people in southwestern Nigeria, leaving health officials scrambling to determine its cause.

The cases have all occurred in Nigeria's Ondo state since April 13, health officials said Sunday.

Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, Ondo's state commissioner for health, said 18 people have died and five people are being treated. Those affected are between the ages of 25 and 60. The disease does not appear to be contagious, he said.

Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, loss of sight and unconsciousness, Adeyanju said.

Some suspect it may be the result of locally brewed alcohol.

The World Health Organization, earlier Sunday, reported at least 13 people were killed and that there were 18 total cases. Those numbers were reported by Adeyanju released somewhat different totals.

Investigators sent samples of blood, urine and spinal fluid to a university in the city of Lagos for tests, which ruled out infections from viruses or bacteria, the WHO said.

Doctors plan to carry out toxicological tests on one of the victims who died in a hospital, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.

Source (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/19/africa/nigeria-mystery-illness/)

[Bob]

Confirmed - Don't Drink Methanol - you will die and if you survive somehow, most likely you will be blind..

Reuters Summary

Health officials said an unknown epidemic in western Nigeria has been traced back to youth in a small community who consumed local gin, or "ogogoro," mixed with herbs.

Above, Medical staff wearing the same protective gear worn for the Nigerian epidemic carried a boy suspected of having Ebola, into a treatment facility in Monrovia, Liberia, Sept. 5, 2014. REUTERS

A mysterious outbreak in western Nigeria, which residents say is more deadly than Ebola, has been linked to contaminated alcohol and methanol poisoning, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Health Ministry said in a joint statement Tuesday. The strange sickness has ravaged an Ikale community in Ondo state, killing at least 18 people in the past two weeks.

Health officials confirmed Tuesday the victims died from methanol poisoning and not from pesticides, as previously speculated. Patients complained of severe headaches before going blind and succumbing to the illness within 24 hours. The unknown ailment was traced back to youth in a small community in the southern part of Ondo who consumed local gin, or “ogogoro,” mixed with herbs. The Nigerian government has advised the residents in the town of Odo-Irele against consuming the alcoholic drink, the Premium Times in Abuja reported.

“Epidemiological findings indicate a strong linkage of the outbreak to a consumption of a local gin that had been contaminated with methanol, a poisonous material,” Nigerian Health Minister Fidelis Nwankwo said in a press statement obtained by Pule Nigeria news in Lagos.

Although the symptoms were reportedly different than those of Ebola, health officials last week were utilizing the same protective gear used during the deadly West African outbreak to handle patients and victims. Residents of the Ode-Irele’s Ikale community, a sub-ethnic group in Ondo state, were afraid to touch the dead for fear the illness was indeed Ebola, which has killed more than 10,500 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since 2013.

However, Nwankwo said Tuesday the deaths in the southwestern state were “clearly not due to Ebola virus disease as feared by many at first” and the preliminary lab tests indicated the deadly sickness “cannot be attributed to any infectious organism, bacterial or viral.”

Samples taken from victims and tested in a laboratory in Lagos came back negative for Ebola and five other deadly diseases, volunteers from Ebola Alert told the Premium Times. WHO declared Nigeria Ebola-free in October last year after the deadly virus claimed seven lives out of the total 19 cases reported in the West African nation.

The health minister said Monday there have been no new cases of the ailment within the past 100 hours as well as no new fatalities within the last 72 hours. Nwankwo said the Nigerian government is working with WHO officials to investigate the exact poisonous methanol substance involved, the Premium Times reported.