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Pesticides likely behind 'mysterious killer disease' in Nigeria

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Sun, 2015-04-19 10:34 — mike kraft

Deutsche Welle                                                                            April 19, 2015

 Eighteen people died under mysterious circumstances in southwest Nigeria this week, sparking fears of a new infectious disease outbreak. Weed killer was the likely cause, the World Health Organization has now said.

When over a dozen men in the village of Ode Irele in southwestern Ondo state who complained of similar symptoms all died within a day, alarm bells began to ring. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no reason to suspect any outbreak of infectious disease, such as Ebola, which has claimed over 10,000 lives in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

The "current hypothesis is herbicides," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said on Sunday, adding: "Tests done so far are negative for viral and bacterial infection."

The victims began showing symptoms between April 13 and 15, including blurred vision and loss of consciousness, and Ondo spokesman Kayode Akinmade said it was due to a "mysterious killer disease."

Read complete story

http://www.dw.de/pesticides-likely-behind-mysterious-killer-disease-in-nigeria/a-18392606

See previous stories,

http://resiliencesystem.org/nigeria-hit-mysterious-epidemic-ondo-state-more-deadly-ebola-report

Country / Region Tags: 
Global
Africa
Nigeria
General Topic Tags: 
Contagion
Disease
Health
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Situation Report
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Global Health
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Sun, 2015-04-19 22:23 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Mon, 2015-04-20 10:00 — mike kraft

AFP                                                                        April  20, 2015

Lagos -- Nigerian health authorities said on Monday that ethanol poisoning from a local gin may have been responsible for the sudden death of 18 people last week.

"We strongly suspect ethanol poisoning and in view of this, we have ordered for another toxicology test for the surviving victims," Ondo state health commissioner Dayo Adeyanju told AFP.

Preliminary investigations ruled out viral or Ebola infection for the outbreak of the mysterious illness in the southwestern town of Ode-Irele on April 15.

"Our investigations revealed that five of the victims took local gin mixed with herbs. Three of them died while the other two have been put under close observation," he said.

Read complete story:

http://news.yahoo.com/local-gin-suspected-causing-18-mystery-nigeria-deaths-103750636.html

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