Tainted 'Monkey Tail' Drink Kills Dozens in Nigeria
A methanol-tainted alcoholic beverage known as 'Monkey Tail' has caused a mass poisoning outbreak in Nigeria. At least 48 people are dead and 182 others have fallen ill, with some victims suffering blindness. Nigerian food and drug regulators identified methanol as the contaminant in the local brew. While most sources report 48 fatalities, one report indicates the death toll has reached at least 49. The outbreak has sickened dozens of residents across the region as authorities investigate the source of the contamination.
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- ✓ At least 48 people died after consuming a drink suspected to contain methanol.
- ✓ The tainted local brew is referred to as 'Monkey Tail'.
- ✓ 182 people became ill after consuming the methanol-tainted drink.
- ✓ Nigeria's food and drug regulator reported the casualties and illnesses.
What changed
Nigerian food and drug regulators confirmed 182 illnesses and reports of blindness among survivors.
Live updates
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Methanol-Tainted 'Monkey Tail' Drink Kills Dozens in Nigeria
A methanol-tainted alcoholic beverage known as 'Monkey Tail' has caused a mass poisoning outbreak in Nigeria. At least 48 people are dead and 182 others have fallen ill, with some victims suffering blindness. Nigerian food and drug regulators identified methanol as the contaminant in the local brew. While most sources report 48 fatalities, one report indicates the death toll has reached at least 49. The outbreak has sickened dozens of residents across the region as authorities investigate the source of the contamination.
Why it matters
Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause permanent organ damage or death if ingested. This incident highlights risks associated with unregulated local alcoholic concoctions. Regulators are now working to identify the production source to prevent further casualties.
What is confirmed
- At least 48 people died after consuming a drink suspected to contain methanol.
- The tainted local brew is referred to as 'Monkey Tail'.
- 182 people became ill after consuming the methanol-tainted drink.
- Nigeria's food and drug regulator reported the casualties and illnesses.
Still unconfirmed
- The death toll has reached at least 49.
- Some victims of the poisoning have been blinded.
What to watch next
- Identification of the specific production facility or distributor of 'Monkey Tail'
- Official updates on the final death toll from the Nigerian government
- Legal actions or arrests related to the production of the tainted brew
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- AP News — At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say
- medpagetoday.com — 48 Deaths Linked to Local Brew; Lancet Staff Strike; RFK Jr. Targets 5G Radiation
- Newser — Tainted 'Monkey Tail' Drink Kills Dozens in Nigeria
- wng.org — Dozens sickened, killed by methanol-laced Nigerian drink | WORLD
- africanews.com — Nigeria methanol poisoning outbreak kills at least 49
- South China Morning Post — Methanol-tainted Nigeria drink kills 48, makes 182 ill, some blinded
- kahawatungu.com — Methanol-tainted drink kills 48 in Nigeria: food agency
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