Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The death toll of victims who consumed the locally brewed gin, Ogogoro or kai-kai and dog meat, has hit 66.
The deaths were recorded in four local government areas of Rivers State, with fresh casualties recorded in Ahoada,Gokana,Bonny Island and Obio-Akpor.
Dr Roland Obed Whyte,Director of Disease Control of Ministry of Health Rivers state,who gave latest update regretted that the number of deaths is spreading faster than anticipated because the brewers of local gin are now introducing, ethanol, methanol and formalin in brewing process which are very dangerous to the body.
Health officials of the Ministry have reiterated that in attempt to control the rate of the spread of deaths, the federal government banned the consumption of local gin popularly called Ogogoro because it contains methanol,formalin and Ethanol.
Dr Simeon Ibufubara Manuel of Public Health lamented that though the deaths from the poisonous gin are far higher than Ebola Virus, people who are addicted to it are reluctant to give up the habit.
He said that members of the public are more scared about Ebola than local gin and food delicacies prepared with local gin.